Aim: To explore possible risk-reducing factors associated with the incidence of common illnesses and use of healthcare services among adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted in all Oslo schools among all 15-and 16-y-olds in 2000 and 2001. The adolescent population was divided into a low-risk (LR) and a high-risk (HR) group, and into quartiles, based on a sum score of different negative life experiences. The groups were compared with respect to potential risk-reducing factors. Results: 88% of the 8316 pupils filled in the questionnaires. The difference between the LR and HR groups was largest for the possible risk-reducing factor “ my family values my opinion” (LR group = 92% ; HR group = 82% ), and “ I manage to solve serious problems myself” (LR = 91% ; HR = 86% ). The family valuing the adolescents’ opinions was the risk-reducing factor most often associated with lower incidences of illness and healthcare utilization. Among the adolescents at highest risk, less depression was strongly related to positive relationships with friends, boys: odds ratio = 0.1 (CI 95% : 0.0-0.7); and girls: 0.2 (0.1-0.5). Adolescents reporting that they managed their own problems had about half the risk of depression. Conclusion: Good relations with family and friends, and a feeling of managing one’ s own life, are significantly related to lower rates of illness, in particular depression, and less healthcare-seeking behaviour. The risk-reducing effects increase with increasing risk. Healthcare workers therefore need to pay more attention to HR patients.
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