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.

The HBSC Ireland team can prepare short reports for interested groups. The team responds to requests from voluntary, community and statutory groups for specific analyses of the HBSC Ireland dataset(s).

In order to request a specific short report, please download and complete the 'HBSC Short Report Request Form'  and forward to the HBSC Ireland team at hbsc@universityofgalway.ie.  Once we have received your request we will contact you to discuss your more detailed requirements. All short reports completed will later be made available via this website.


Short Reports containing HBSC Ireland data are listed alphabetically by author within year of publication: 

2023

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Lunney, L., Maloney, R., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2023). New questions for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Ireland: Pilot 2022. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway. DOI: 10.13025/h9pf-rd42

2022

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2022). Physical activity among children with and without disabilities and chronic conditions: a case-control analysis. Short report for the Irish Physical Activity Report Card and Global Matrix 4.0 on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. DOI: 10.13025/45vh-fq40  download

2021

Gavin, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2021). CHO1 Area: Trends in health behaviours, health outcomes and contextual factors between 1998-2018. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. DOI: 10.13025/XXTT-ST9 download

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2021). Perceived discrimination in minority and matched non-minority adolescents in Ireland. Short report to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Government of Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. DOI: 10.13025/YDPB-CQ72 download

‌Költő, A., Vaughan, E., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2021). Sexual health of gender and sexual minority youth in Ireland. Submission to the Sexual Health Strategy. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

Nic Gabhainn, S., Gavin, A. & Kelly, C. (2021). Policy Priorities for Girls' Health. Short report to the Women's Health Task Force, Department of Health, April 2021. DOI: 10.13025/xsew-yf04  download

Nic Gabhainn, S., Költő, A., Gavin, A., & Kelly, C. (2021). Adolescent Sexual Health Behaviours in Ireland. Submission to the Sexual Health Strategy. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

2020

Gavin, A., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2020). HBSC Ireland: Health and wellbeing among young carers in 2014 and 2018. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2020). Sun and ultraviolet light-related behaviours in schoolchildren of Ireland: Data from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

Költő, A., Ravikumar, D., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2020). HBSC Ireland 2018: Health and well-being of young people in Donegal. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

2019

Watters, C.R., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Költő, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2019). Health behaviour in school-aged children: Short report on Traveller mental health and wellbeing. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download

2018

Költő, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2018). Attraction and love in schoolchildren in Ireland: Short report on pilot. Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

Költő, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2018). HBSC Ireland 2014: Self-reported height in 8 to 18 years old schoolchildren in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Carly Cheevers, Department of Public Health, HSE, Tullamore.  download 

Költő, A., Harrington, A., Kavanagh, A., Tyrrell, L., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2018). New questions for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Ireland: Pilot 2018. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

2017

Burke, L. & Gavin, A. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Young people's drinking in the North Dublin area. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Louise McCulloch, North Dublin Regional Drugs Task Force. ‌download  

Burke, L. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Aoife Dowling, All-Island Research Observatory. download  

Gavin, A. & Keane, E. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Club participation and physical activity. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Aoife Lane, Waterford Institute of Technology. download 

Perry, C., Keane, E., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Alcohol and cannabis use in school-children in Ireland (updated). Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Deirdre Mongan, Health Research Board. ‌download 

2016

Callaghan, M., Keane, E., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Young carers in the 2014 HBSC study. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. ‌download 

Gavin, A. & Keane, E. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Tobacco use among 15 to 17 year olds. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Keisha Taylor, TobaccoFree Research Institute. download 

Gavin, A., Keane, E., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Physical activity and club participation. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Aoife Lane, Waterford Institute of Technology. download  

Keane, E., Callaghan, M., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Trends in soft drink consumption in Irish schoolchildren from 1998 to 2014. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Institute of Public Health in Ireland. download 

Keane, E. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Description of the child developed 'Does your family play with you?' question asked in HBSC Ireland 2014 study. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. download 

Keane, E., Perry, C., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Health and risk behaviour among school children in Donegal. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Donegal Children and Young People's Services Committee. download

Perry, C., Keane, E., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Injuries among schoolchildren in Ireland in 2010 and 2014. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Jude Cosgrove, Institute of Public Health in Ireland. download  

Perry, C., Keane, E., Callaghan, M., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Traveller children's health and lifestyle compared to all other children in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway.  download  

2015

Callaghan, M., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2015). HBSC Ireland 2010: School characteristics, policy and context in Ireland: HBSC Ireland post-primary schools. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

2013

Burke, L., Gavin, A., Courtney, L., Nic Gabhainn, S., & Kelly, C. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Sexual behaviours of 15-17 year olds in the mid-west region and in care. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Red Ribbon project. download  

Callaghan, M., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2103). HBSC Ireland: Preliminary analysis of the HBSC school level questionnaire. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

Courtney, L., Gavin, A., Gajewski, J., Molcho, M., Nic Gabhainn, S., & Kelly, C. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: School experiences among children in care. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

Gajewski, J. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Health and risk behaviour among children in Kilkenny compared to the Irish children in other parts of the country. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

Gajewski, J. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Health and risk behaviour among children in Waterford compared to the Irish children in other parts of the country. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

Gajewski, J. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Socio-economic variations in tobacco smoking among school-aged children in Ireland: 2002, 2006 and 2010. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Helen McAvoy, Institute of Public Health Ireland. downloaddownloaddownloaddownload‌ 

Gajewski, J., Young, H., Burke, L., Courtney, L., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC 2014: Pilot study for HBSC 2014 questions. Galway: HBSC Ireland, Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway. download 

Sullivan, L. & Molcho, M. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Emotional and physical symptoms and bullying. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Hugh Magee, Department of Health. download  

Sullivan, L. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Comparison figures for schoolchildren in County Carlow with the rest of the HBSC survey. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Children's Services Committee, Carlow. download 

2012 

Callaghan, M., Gavin, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Tobacco use among schoolchildren in Ireland 2010, 2006, 2002 and 1998. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download

Callaghan, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Nutritional behaviours among schoolchildren in Ireland 2010. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children's Lives 2011-2016. download 

Clarke, N., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Workshop to access young people’s opinions of the findings of the 2010 Health Behaviour of School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download

Clarke, N., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Alcohol consumption and cannabis use among schoolchildren in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download  

Clarke, N. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Body image among Irish children. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. download 

Clarke, N. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Health and risk behaviour among children in Donegal. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Donegal Children's Services Committee. download  

Gavin, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Tobacco use among schoolchildren in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Cancer Control Programme. download  

Sullivan, L. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Physical activity, active travel and exercise among schoolchildren in Ireland 2010. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children's Lives 2011-2016. download  

2009

Doyle, P., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009). HBSC Ireland 2006: Age related patterns in alcohol consumption and cannabis use among Irish children between 1998-2006. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download  

Doyle, P. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009). HBSC Ireland 2006: Self-reported health among children for the Travelling Community. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study, University College Dublin. download  

2008

Brennan, G. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Child well-being in South County Dublin. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Mary O'Brien of Gamma Ltd. and Maria Donohue of the South Dublin County Council. download 

Brennan, G. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Physical activity patterns by age and gender. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Dr Niamh Murphy, Waterford Institute of Technology. download  

Gavin, A., De Roiste, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Age related patterns in alcohol consumption among Irish children. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Youth Council of Ireland. download    

Gavin, A., De Roiste, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006Urban and rural patterns in alcohol consumption among Irish children. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Youth Council of Ireland. download  

Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Molcho, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Child well-being in Dublin City. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Dublin City Children’s Services Committee. download  

Molcho, M., Gavin, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008) HBSC Ireland 2006: Cannabis and volatile substance use between 1998-2006. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download

Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Smoking behaviour between 1998-2006. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Population Health Directorate, Health Services Executive. download  

Nic Gabhainn, S., Molcho, M., & Kelly, C. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Frequency of smoking behaviour in middle childhood and adolescence. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Office of Tobacco Control, Ireland. download   

2007

Molcho, M., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2007). HBSC Ireland 2006: Smoking behaviour among Irish schoolchildren. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Office of Tobacco Control, Ireland. download  

Nic Gabhainn, S., Molcho, M., Gallois, A., & Kelly, C. (2007). HBSC Ireland 2006: Bullying and disability among Irish schoolchildren. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Disability Authority, Ireland. download  

2006

Molcho, M., Fleming. F., Friesling, S., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2006). Report of a pilot study for the HBSC 2006 survey. Galway: HBSC Ireland, Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway. download 

2005 

Bourke, H. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: Tobacco, alcohol and drugs among 15-17 year olds: comparisons across the western region. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. A short report to the Public Health Department of the HSE Western Region. download  

Molcho, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: The health behaviour of school-aged children in the South Western Area Health Board. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Promotion Department of the South Western Area Health Board. download 

Nic Gabhainn, S. & Bourke, H. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: Contribution to the national set of well-being indicators for children, 2005. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Children's Office, Department of Health and Children, Dublin. download 

Nic Gabhainn, S., Bourke, H., & Molcho, M. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: Data on community involvement and perceptions from HBSC Ireland 2002. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Children's Office, Department of Health and Children, Dublin. download  

2004

Nic Gabhainn, S. (2004). HBSC Ireland 2002: Bullying others and being bullied among schoolchildren in the north-west of Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Promotion Department of the North Western Health Board. download