Transport to school and mental well-being of schoolchildren in Ireland
Költő, András Gavin, Aoife Kelly, Colette Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse
Költő, András
Gavin, Aoife
Kelly, Colette
Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse
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Repository DOI
Publication Date
2021-04-09
Type
Article
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Citation
Költő, András, Gavin, Aoife, Kelly, Colette, & Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse. (2021). Transport to School and Mental Well-Being of Schoolchildren in Ireland. International Journal of Public Health, 66(26). doi:10.3389/ijph.2021.583613
Abstract
Objectives: We explored whether modes of transport (cycling, walking, public transport or private vehicle) between home and school are associated with mental well-being in children aged 10 17 years, participating in the Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Methods: Scores on the World Health Organization Well-being Index and the Mental Health Inventory five-item versions, self-reported life satisfaction, happiness with self, body satisfaction, excellent self-rated health, and multiple health complaints of 9,077 schoolchildren (mean age: 13.99 ± 1.91 years, percentage girls: 52.2%) were compared across modes of transport, unadjusted and adjusted for gender, age, family affluence and area of residence. Results: Those who reported using public transport reported poorer mental well-being than those using other means of transport, but adjusting for sociodemographic variables obscured these differences. The only exception was excellent health, where children who cycled outperformed the other three groups, even after adjustment for sociodemographic variables. Conclusions: Cycling can improve well-being in children. However, in promotion of cycling, social and environmental determinants and inequalities which influence adolescents and their parents decisions on modes of transport, need to be considered.
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Publisher DOI
10.3389/ijph.2021.583613
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland