Research BriefFamily Meals and Adolescent Emotional Well-Being: Findings From a National Study
Introduction
Family meals appear to be important to the healthy development of adolescents. It was hypothesized that regular family meals enhance family functioning, such as through communication, sharing family values, parental monitoring of adolescent behaviors, and collective problem solving.1, 2 Healthier family functioning contributes to better health and well-being for young people.3 These hypotheses are consistent with a growing body of literature documenting the relationship between frequent family meals and multiple indicators of adolescent health.2, 4 Adolescents who frequently share meals with their families have better nutrition,4, 5 are less likely to engage in unhealthy weight control practices,6, 7, 8 and report fewer health risk behaviors.9, 10, 11
An emerging body of evidence has also begun to explore the relationship between family meals and indicators of adolescent mental health.1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Of these existing studies, the majority were conducted in North America1, 10, 11, 12, 13 and many measured only negative dimensions of mental health (eg, depressive symptoms).10, 11, 12, 13 Findings from these studies suggested that frequent family meals were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Two studies demonstrated significant relationships between family meals and positive dimensions of mental health, such as emotional well-being.1, 14 All of the research conducted to date has been observational. Although intervention trials would provide stronger evidence of the nature of the relationship between family meals and adolescent mental health, they are difficult to design and implement. Observational studies allow the relationship between family meals and adolescent mental health to be explored while accounting for other factors that may influence the relationship.
Given the gender differences in mental health concerns,15 it is surprising that the current authors could only identify 1 study that examined whether the relationship between family meals and mental health was moderated by gender. Elgar et al1 found a significant relationship between frequent family meals and prosocial behavior, which was stronger for males than females.
The current study aimed to extend the evidence base examining the potential role family meals have in the mental well-being of adolescents in New Zealand. The study describes the relationship between family meals and adolescent mental health and attempted to determine whether the relationship differs by sex.
Section snippets
Methods
Data for the current study were collected as part of Youth ’12, a nationally representative survey of the health and well-being of secondary school students in New Zealand. In total, 8,500 secondary school students participated in the survey. There were slightly more females (54%) than males and slightly more younger students (22% aged ≤13 years, 22% aged 14 years, and 21% aged 15 years) than older students (19% aged 16 years and 17% aged ≥17 years). Full details of the methodology and design
Results
Approximately 60% of adolescents reported sharing family meals frequently (≥5 times/wk) (Table 1). However, >20% of adolescents reported that they shared family meals infrequently (≤2 times/wk). Infrequent family meals (≤2 times/wk) were more common for older students (P < .001); students who identified their ethnicity as Pacific Island, Māori, or other (P < .001); students living in areas with high levels of deprivation (P < .001); and students living with household poverty (P < .001).
Discussion
The current study aimed to describe the potential role family meals have in the mental well-being of adolescents in New Zealand and to determine whether the relationship between family meals and adolescent mental health varied for males and females. Greater frequency of family meals was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and emotional difficulties and better emotional well-being. Family meals may be particularly important for females because the protective association between family
Implications for Research and Practice
Frequent family meals may have a protective effect on the mental health of adolescents, particularly for girls. Findings from the current study offer a positive and tangible activity that families can prioritize to promote good mental health for their young people. Health and nutrition professionals may consider promoting family meals as a means to engage positively with families, promote good nutrition, and encourage stronger family relationships. Future intervention research is needed to
Acknowledgments
Funding for the Youth ’12 study was provided by a consortium of 8 government agencies: the Ministry of Youth Development, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Labour, the Health Promotion Agency, and the Families Commission.
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Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors' conflict of interest disclosures can be found online with this article on ww.jneb.org.