Does Schoolmate and Teacher Support Buffer against the Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Emotional and Behavioural Problems?

Miriama Lackova Rebicova; Zuzana Dankulincova Veselska; Daniela Husarova; Andrea Madarasova Geckova; Danielle E M C Jansen; Jitse P van Dijk; Sijmen A Reijneveld

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413009

Does Schoolmate and Teacher Support Buffer against the Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Emotional and Behavioural Problems?

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 9;18(24):13009. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182413009.

Authors

Miriama Lackova Rebicova^{1

2}, Zuzana Dankulincova Veselska^{1

2}, Daniela Husarova^{1

2}, Andrea Madarasova Geckova^{1

2

3}, Danielle E M C Jansen⁴, Jitse P van Dijk^{2

3

4}, Sijmen A Reijneveld⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Medical Faculty, PJ Safarik University, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia.
² Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, PJ Safarik University, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia.
³ Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University in Olomouc, Univerzitni 22, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
⁴ Department of Community & Occupational Health, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

This study aims to explore the associations of schoolmate and teacher support with emotional and behavioural problems (EBP) and whether schoolmate and teacher support affects the associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and of EBP in adolescence. We obtained data from 5220 students aged from 11 to 15 (48.7% boys), who participated in the Health Behaviour in a School-aged Children study (2018, Slovakia). Using logistic regression adjusted for gender, age and family affluence we assessed the modification of the relations of ACE and EBP by schoolmate and teacher support. Schoolmate and teacher support decreased the probability of EBP (Odds Ratios, 95% confidence intervals: 0.76, 0.74|0.79; and 0.86, 0.83|0.89, respectively). However, we found no statistically significant interactions of schoolmate and teacher support regarding the association of ACE with EBP. Schoolmate and teacher support decreased the likelihood of EBP among adolescents but do not buffer the relation of any previous ACE with EBP.

Keywords: adolescence; adverse childhood experiences; emotional and behavioural problems; schoolmate and teacher support.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior*
Adverse Childhood Experiences*
Child
Emotions
Female
Humans
Male
Problem Behavior*
Students