Multidimensional factors of determining trajectories in self-rated health and depressive symptoms among Korean children and adolescents

Understanding health disparities in the early stage of life is complicated by the complex interplay of psychosocial and environment factors. Despite these complexities, few studies have investigated multidimensional aspects of determining health trajectories of Korean children and adolescents. Thus, this study aims to investigate the impact of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors on trajectories in self-rated health and depressive symptoms. Totally, 2378 Korean student samples were selected from the Korean Children and Young Panel Survey for data analysis. The findings indicated that higher levels of self-esteem, attachment to parents, and relationship with friends predicted better self-rated health and less depressive symptoms at baseline. Perception on community only predicted better self-rated health but not depressive symptoms at baseline. Among multidimensional factors, only self-esteem predicted the rate of changes in self-rated health and depressive symptoms. This study suggested that enhancing self-esteem and supportive environment should be provided throughout childhood and adolescence.