Sadness and Loneliness in Adolescents with Physical, Sensory or Health Problems in Low/Middle-Income Countries

Feelings of loneliness and sadness are increasing among the global youth, especially in disadvantaged settings. Young people with disabilities from low-income countries may be at greater risk of experiencing such emotions. This study aims to assess the dependence between difficulties/disability and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Angel Denche-Zamorano, María Ángeles García-Gil, María Mendoza-Muñoz, Sabina Barrios-Fernandez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/6/996
Description
Summary:Feelings of loneliness and sadness are increasing among the global youth, especially in disadvantaged settings. Young people with disabilities from low-income countries may be at greater risk of experiencing such emotions. This study aims to assess the dependence between difficulties/disability and sadness, loneliness and crying for no reason in young people from low- to middle-income countries and to test the risk of experiencing these emotions in young people with different disabilities versus the overall population. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the Programme for International Student Assessment for Development survey, with 34,604 participants aged 15 years from seven countries: Cambodia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Senegal, and Zambia. Dependent relationships were found between difficulties/disabilities and loneliness, sadness and crying. People with disabilities had a higher prevalence of these emotions. The probability of experiencing sadness, loneliness and crying was higher among people with difficulties/disabilities. Young people with disabilities in low-income countries are at a higher risk of experiencing feelings of loneliness, sadness and crying compared to the general population of the same age.
ISSN:2227-9067