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 ‌HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (HBSC) IRELAND

World Health Organization Collaborative Cross-National Study


The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey is a WHO collaborative cross-national study that monitors the health behaviours, health outcomes and social environments of school-aged children every four years. HBSC Ireland surveys school-going children aged 9-18 years. The study is conducted by the HBSC Ireland team, based at the Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway.

Other HBSC International publications can be found on the HBSC International website http://www.hbsc.org/

LATEST HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT - LAUNCHED 13 November 2024


Launched on 13 November 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent social contexts in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the seventh in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022. 

The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/379486

This report has revealed alarming declines in social support for adolescents across Europe, Central Asia and Canada. The findings are stark: only 68% of adolescents report high levels of family support, a significant drop compared to the previous survey in 2018, while school pressure has increased sharply, particularly for adolescent girls. These trends are affecting the mental health and well-being of millions of young people, particularly older adolescents and those from less well-off families.

Some of the key findings include: 

  • Decline in family and peer support: Support systems critical for adolescent mental health have weakened since 2018, with the proportion of adolescents reporting high levels of family support dropping from 73% to 67% and peer support from 61% to 58%. The decline has been particularly pronounced among girls (family support: 72% to 64%; peer support: 67% to 62%).

  • Rising school pressure: More students report feeling pressured by schoolwork than in 2018, particularly affecting older adolescents, with stark gender differences emerging. Among 15-year-olds, nearly two-thirds of girls (63%) now report feeling pressured - up from 54% in 2018 - compared to 43% of boys (up from 40%)

  • Social inequalities: Adolescents from lower-affluence families consistently report lower levels of support compared to their more well-off peers. For instance, 62% of low-affluence adolescents report high levels of family support, compared to 71% of high-affluence adolescents. Similar patterns are seen in peer support (53% vs 62%) and classmate support (52% vs 58%).

  • Gender differences: Significant gender disparities exist across multiple areas of young people's lives. Fewer girls than boys find it easy to talk with parents about things that really bother them (62% vs 78% for fathers; 81% vs 86% for mothers), they report lower levels of family support (65% vs 71%), and face substantially higher school pressure (62% vs 43% among 15-year-olds). The one exception is peer relationships, where girls maintain higher levels of support than boys (62% vs 55%).

HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT VOLUME 6 - LAUNCHED 25 September 2024

Launched on 25 September 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent social media use and gaming in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the sixth in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022. 

The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/378982 

This sixth report describes the status of adolescent social media use and gaming, the role of gender, age and social inequality, and changes in adolescent social media use and gaming since 2018.

The report reveals a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, with rates increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. This, coupled with findings that 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of Europe's youth.

Key findings include:

  • More than 1 in 10 adolescents (11%) showed signs of excessive and compulsive social media behaviour, struggling to control their use and experiencing negative consequences. Girls reported higher levels of problematic social media use than boys (13% vs 9%).
  • Over a third (36%) of young people reported constant contact with friends online, with the highest rates among 15-year-old girls (44%).
  • A third (34%) of adolescents played digital games daily, with more than 1 in 5 (22%) playing for at least four hours on days when they engage in gaming.
  • 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, with boys more likely than girls to show signs of problematic gaming (16% vs 7%).

The report defines problematic social media use as a pattern of behaviour characterised by addiction-like symptoms. These include an inability to control social media usage, experiencing withdrawal when not using it, neglecting other activities in favour of social media, and facing negative consequences in daily life due to excessive use.

HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT VOLUME 5 - LAUNCHED 29 August 2024

 

Launched on 29 August 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent sexual health in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the fifth in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022. 

The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/378547

This fifth report provides crucial insights into the sexual health and behaviours of 15-year-olds across 42 countries and regions.

 

The report reveals alarming trends in adolescent sexual health across Europe, central Asia, and Canada. Approximately 30% of sexually active 15-year-olds reported using neither condoms nor contraceptive pills at last intercourse, putting a substantial proportion of young people at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. This risk is compounded by a significant decline in condom use since 2014. While sexual initiation rates have remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease among boys, substantial variations exist between countries. HBSC International page:


Some of the key findings include: 

Sexual initiation patterns

  • 20% of 15-year-old boys and 15% of girls reported having had sexual intercourse in 2022.
  • The percentage of boys reporting having had sexual intercourse decreased from 25% in 2018 to 20% in 2022.
  • Wide variations exist: 2% of girls in Armenia/Kazakhstan vs. 49% in Denmark (Greenland); 5% of boys in Kyrgyzstan vs. 38% in Bulgaria.
  • Notable differences between neighbours: 15% of girls in Finland vs. 29% in Sweden.

Declining condom use

  • Condom use at last intercourse decreased from 70% to 61% for boys and 63% to 57% for girls (2014-2022).
  • Significant variations: 24% for girls in Albania vs. 81% in Serbia; 43% for boys in Sweden vs. 77% in Switzerland.

Contraceptive pill use

  • 26% of sexually active girls and 25% of boys reported using the contraceptive pill at last sexual intercourse.
  • Contraceptive pill use remained relatively stable between 2014 and 2022.
  • Large variations: 6% of girls in Greece vs. 61% in Netherlands; 10% of boys in Spain vs. 50% in Belgium (Flemish).

Unprotected sex rates

  • 30% of sexually active boys and 31% of girls used neither condoms nor contraceptive pills at last sexual intercourse.
  • Rates varied: 14% of girls in Serbia vs. 68% in Sweden; 14% of boys in Armenia vs. 52% in UK (Scotland).
  • Some socioeconomic disparities exist, with lower affluence associated with higher rates of unprotected sex in several countries.

Country-Specific Variations

  • Gender gaps differ significantly: In Albania, there's a 37 percentage point difference in condom use favouring boys, while in Serbia, girls report higher usage than boys.
  • Contraceptive preferences vary: The Netherlands shows high rates of both condom (66% for boys) and pill use (61% for girls), while Greece has low rates of pill use (6% for girls) but high rates of condom use (74% for boys).
  • Regional patterns are not consistent: Eastern European countries like Bulgaria (38%) and Romania (31%) have high rates of sexual initiation for boys, while others like Armenia (14%) have much lower rates.

HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT VOLUME 4 - LAUNCHED 23 MAY 2024

Launched on 23 May 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent physical activity, eating behaviours, weight status and body image in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the fourth in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022. 

The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376772 

This fourth report examines the status of moderate- to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity, physical inactivity, food and drink consumption, over- and underweight and body image among adolescents, explores the role of gender, age and social inequality and identifies how these adolescent behaviours have changed over time.

Some of the key findings include:

  • Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) decreased with age, with Irish girls showing lower levels of MVPA compared to boys. 
  • Gender differences emerged for VPA at 13- and 15-years-old, with boys reporting higher levels of VPA than girls. Children and adolescents from higher affluence groups were more likely to engage in VPA at least three times per week compared to those from lower affluence groups. 
  • Daily breakfast consumption on weekdays decreased with age, with Irish boys more likely to report eating breakfast than Irish girls. Children and adolescents from higher affluence groups were more likely to eat breakfast during weekdays compared to those from lower affluence groups. 
  • Daily vegetable consumption slightly increased with age among Irish children and adolescents, with no gender differences noted. Ireland’s ranking for fruit consumption increased with age, with no gender differences noted. Children from higher affluence groups were more likely to consume fruit and vegetables daily compared to those from lower affluence groups. 
  • Irish girls were more likely than Irish boys to perceive themselves as being too fat, and this gender gap increased with age. Socioeconomic differences were also present in Ireland, with more children and adolescents from low-affluence groups perceiving themselves as too fat. 

HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT VOLUME 3 - LAUNCHED 25 APRIL 2024

Launched on 25 April 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent substance use in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the third in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022. 

The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376573 

This third report focuses on cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, alcohol consumption and drunkenness, and cannabis use (only measured among 15-year olds) across 44 countries and regions.  

The report highlights a narrowing gender gap in substance use, emphasising the need for targeted prevention strategies.

Some of the key findings include: 

  • Prevalence of alcohol consumption: Alcohol is the most frequently consumed substance among adolescents, with 57% of 15-year-olds having tried alcohol at least once and nearly 4 in 10 (37%) indicating they've consumed alcohol in the past 30 days.
  • The popularity of e-cigarettes: E-cigarettes have surpassed traditional cigarettes in popularity, with 32% of 15-year-olds reporting e-cigarette use at some point and 20% in the past 30 days.
  • Cannabis use trends: Cannabis use shows a slight decrease, with the percentage of 15-year-olds who have ever used cannabis falling from 14% in 2018 to 12% in 2022.
  • Narrowing gender gap: The disparity in substance use between genders is rapidly closing, with girls equalling or surpassing boys in rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and e-cigarette use by the age of 15.

HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT VOLUME 2 - LAUNCHED 27 March 2024

Launched on 27 March 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent peer violence and bullying in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the second in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022. 

The report is available to download from https://bit.ly/hbsc-vol2

This second report focuses on patterns of bullying and peer violence among adolescents across 44 countries and regions.  

While the overall trends in school bullying have remained stable since 2018, cyberbullying has increased, magnified by the increasing digitalisation of young people’s interactions, with potentially profound impacts on young lives. 

Some of the key findings include: 

  • Bullying others at school - An average of 6% of adolescents engage in bullying others at school. This behaviour is more prevalent among boys (8%) compared to girls (5%). 
  • Being bullied at school - Approximately 11% of adolescents have been bullied at school, showing no significant difference between boys and girls.  
  • Cyberbullying others - About 12% (1 in 8) of adolescents report cyberbullying others. Boys (14%) are more likely to report cyberbullying than girls (9%). Notably, this reflects an increase from 2018, with boys up from 11% and girls from 7%. 
  • Being cyberbullied - 15% of adolescents (around 1 in 6) have experienced cyberbullying, with the rates closely aligned between boys (15%) and girls (16%). This represents an increase from 2018, from 12% to 15% for boys and 13% to 16% for girls. 
  • Physical fighting - One in ten adolescents has been involved in physical fights, with a noticeable gender difference: 14% of boys versus 6% of girls. 

HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT VOLUME 1 - LAUNCHED 10 October 2023

2022 Mental Health International report coverLaunched on World Mental Health Day, 10th October 2023, the report 'A focus on adolescent mental health and well-being in Europe, Central Asia and Canada' is the first in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022. 

The report available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/373201.

Download the presentation slides given by Dr. Alina Cosma at the launch of the Mental Health Report in Athens, Greece.

This first report presents findings on adolescents’ mental health and well-being, with consideration of gender, age, and social inequality, and examines changes over the past 3 survey rounds since the 2013/2014 HBSC survey.

Major report findings include the following.

  • Mental health and well-being are declining, especially among girls – 15-year-old girls’ health is markedly worse in most countries compared to boys.
  • More adolescents are lonelier now than in the previous 2017/2018 survey.
  • The number of adolescents with multiple health complaints, such as sleep problems and nervousness, has increased steadily since 2014.

The report underscores the importance of:

  • placing schools at the centre of mental health promotion and prevention programmes, necessitating resource investment and training;
  • collaborating with community-based services, including hospitals and community mental health centres, for specialized support to children in need; and
  • monitoring child and adolescent mental health through initiatives, such as HBSC, to assess the impact of national or regional activities aimed at improving mental health and well-being. 

 

2017/18 HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT - LAUNCHED 19 May 2020

The HBSC international report from the 2017/2018 survey is now available. The Spotlight on Adolescent Health and Well-being provides data from 45 countries in Europe and Canada. Findings are presented on the health and social behaviours of almost 228,000 young people aged 11, 13 and 15 years.

The cross-national survey covers diverse aspects of adolescent health and social behaviour, including self-assessment of mental health; body image; dietary habits; physical activity; school context; relationships with families and peers; tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use; bullying and injuries; and sexual health (for those aged 15 and above only). A special focus on online communication was included in the most recent HBSC survey, to better understand the expanding role of digital technology in young people’s lives.

The study highlights the changing status of mental well-being among the Region’s youth. Reports of poor mental health – feeling low, nervous or irritable – are increasing across the Region. The data also clearly show that mental health declines with age. While technology can have positive benefits, it can also introduce new threats, such as cyberbullying, which disproportionately affects girls. Over 1 in 10 adolescents report having been cyberbullied at least once in the past two months.

As the latest HBSC study, featuring findings from 2017/2018, is released, the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The next study, which will feature findings from 2021/2022, will therefore reflect the impact of the pandemic on the lives of young people.

Further information can be found on the WHO/Europe website 

See here for the Press release for Ireland (As Gaeilge) and the WHO EURO press release. 

To access both Volume 1 Key Findings and Volume 2 Key Data of Spotlight on Adolescent Health and Well-Being,visit: https://hbsc.org/publications/reports/spotlight-on-adolescent-health-and-well-being/

2013/14 HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT - LAUNCHED 15 March 2016

The HBSC international report from the 2013/2014 survey is now available. The report Growing up unequal: gender and socioeconomic differences in young people's health and well-being provides data from 42 countries in Europe and North America. Findings are presented on the demographic and social influences on the health of almost 220,000 young people.

The cross-national survey covers diverse aspects of adolescent health and social behaviour, including self-assessment of mental health; obesity and body image; dietary habits; engagement in physical activity; support from families and peers; tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use; and bullying.

This report has a special focus on the effects of gender and socioeconomic differences on the way that young people grow and develop. Responding to the survey, young people described their social context (relations with family, peers and school), health outcomes (subjective health, injuries, obesity and mental health), health behaviour (patterns of eating, tooth brushing and physical activity) and risk behaviours (use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, sexual behaviour, fighting and bullying). For the first time, the HBSC report also includes items on family and peer support, migration, cyberbullying and serious injuries.

Data presented in this report can be accessed at the WHO European Health Information Gateway and via the WHO European health statistics application for iOS and Android devices. 

Further information can be found on the WHO/Europe website 

2010 HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT - LAUNCHED 2nd MAY 2012 

Findings from HBSC survey have been published in the latest WHO/HBSC International report: Social determinants of health and well-being among young people. The report presents data from 39 countries on over 60 health and social indicators.

HBSC’s flagship policy report contributes to our understanding of the social determinants of young people’s health, by highlighting inequalities by gender, age, socioeconomic conditions and geography. Through this report, the HBSC study aims to supply up-to-date information needed by policy-makers, nongovernmental organisations, and professionals in sectors such as health, education, social services, justice and recreation, to protect and promote young people’s health. 


More information can be found on the WHO/Europe website  

Factsheet summarising the key findings on gender download

Download the press release download

Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: WHO Collaborative Cross-National Study: 'Inequalities in young People's Health'  - Launched 17th June 2008 

This international report from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) World Health Organization collaborative cross-national study presents the key findings on patterns of health among young people in 41 countries and regions across Europe and North America. The document presents a status report on health, health-related behaviour and the social contexts of young people's health in 2005/2006 and provides the latest evidence from this unique cross-national study on the well-being of young people in industrialised nations.

This is the fourth in a series of international reports from the HBSC study published by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in the 'Health policy for children and adolescents' (HEPCA) series. In addition to presenting key statistics on young people's health, this report has a special focus on health inequalities. It presents data on gender, age and geographic and socioeconomic dimensions of health differentials. The aim of the report is to highlight where inequalities exist in aspects of young people's health and well-being in order to inform and influence policy and practice and to contribute to health improvement for all young people.  


Download the full report here: 

Currie, C., Nic Gabhainn, S., Godeau, E., Roberts, C., Smith, R., Currie, D., Pickett, W., Richter, M., Morgan, A. & Barnekow, V. (eds.) (2008).  Inequalities in young people's health: HBSC international report from the 2005/2006 Survey. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. (Health Policy for Children and Adolescents, No. 5). download

HBSC Ireland Press Release - in English download     As Gaelige download  

WHO Press Release June 17th download 

WHO HBSC 2008 Factsheet June 17th download

Young people’s health in context. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: international report from the 2001/2002 survey

Published in 2004 this study was carried out over a wide geographical area and covers wide-ranging health topics. They include the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of health, and the influences of the family, schools and peers, and of socioeconomic and developmental factors.

Download the full report here: 
Currie, C., Roberts, C., Morgan, A., Smith, R., Settertobulte, W., Samdal, O. & Barnekow-Rasmussen, V. (Eds.) (2004). Young People's Health in Context. International Report from the 2001/2002 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. WHO Policy Series: Health Policy for Children and Adolescents, No.4. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe. download

Health and health behaviour among young people. International Report from the 1997/1998 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study

Published in 2000.,the research findings presented in this report are derived from the 1997/1998 survey. This report provides a preliminary overview of comparative data from 26 European countries or regions, Canada and the United States of America. Data collection involved over 120,000 students.

Download the full report here:  
Currie, C., Hurrelmann, K., Settertobulte, W., Smith, R. & Todd, J. (Eds.) (2000). Health and health behaviour among young people. International Report from the 1997/1998 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. WHO Policy Series: Health Policy for Children and Adolescents Issue 1. Copenhagen|: WHO Regional Office for Europe. download