Assessment of mental health and quality of life in the national health interview and examination survey for children and adolescents

The National Health Survey for Children and Adolescents plans to collect data on the health status of children and adolescents in the 0-17 years age bracket which can be used for the generalisation and implementation of measures. In this context, assessment of mental and subjective health, in addition to collection of data concerning somatic health, is of great importance in a survey on the health status of children and adolescents in Germany. The proportion of children and adolescents afflicted by in part long lasting-mental health problems and disorders is considerable. Subjective impairment due to somatic, psychological or social factors result in a reduced quality of life. Last but not least, personal, familial, and social assets of children and adolescents are relevant as protective factors for their mental and subjective health. Experiences and results from the pilot test of the survey demonstrate that the instruments selected for assessing mental health problems (SDQ), health related quality of life (KINDL), and assets (a combination of various scales) are appropriate for epidemiological purposes. They may supply valuable data to estimate the prevalence of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders, to identify risk groups needing intervention, and to describe the subjective health of children and adolescents in Germany.