The quality of life among middle-school adolescents in Krakow.

AIM: The aim of the study was to describe the quality of life of Polish adolescents living in a big city and to investigate whether there are differences in this respect between girls and boys. Moreover, we would like to compare the results concerning the quality of life of the screened adolescents from Krakow with those of their European peers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey was carried out in 2013-2015 in 17 middle schools in Krakow based on anonymous auditorium questionnaires. The analysis included the responses of 1387 pupils - 686 girls and 701 boys. In order to assess the quality of life, the Polish version of the international KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire was used. Five dimensions of the quality of life (Qol) were analyzed. The specific dimensions of Qol were analyzed using 0-100 point scales, as well as T-scores standardized for the European population.

RESULTS: The mean values for five dimensions of quality of life assessed by the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire ranged from 54 pts. to 65 pts. (maximum score 100 pts.). However, the results for the Polish adolescents were lower when compared to their European peers. The greatest differences in the level of Qol between Polish adolescents and their European peers involved the following dimensions: Psychological Well-being and School Environment. On average, girls scored their Qol lower than boys in three out of five dimensions (Physical Well-being, Psychological Well-being, Autonomy & Parents; p<0.001). Additionally, using the norm data for the Polish population (sex and age specific), more girls than boys were classified as having low Qol regarding the School Environment (23.5%vs 14.8%; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Polish adolescents scored their Qol lower than their European peers. The quality of life for girls was significantly lower than of boys, except for the relation with their friends and peers (Social Support & Peers).