Functional and dysfunctional beliefs in relation to adolescent health-related quality of life

While existent data emphasizes the need to improve children's transition to adulthood, health professionals are confronted with lack of knowledge regarding mechanisms underpinning adolescent health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Recent research indicates that there is a link between individuals' dysfunctional beliefs and physical symptoms. The current study investigated the roles of functional and dysfunctional beliefs in adolescent HRQOL, while also taking into account age- and gender-related differences. A sample of 14- to 17-year-old adolescents (N = 238) was included in the analyses. HRQOL was measured with an instrument assessing adolescents' perceptions of their well-being and behaviors promoting or threatening their health. The results emphasized that: (1) functional beliefs played a protective role for the vast majority of HRQOL aspects including well-being, resilience, exposure to risk factors, acute major disorders, and academic achievement; (2) dysfunctional beliefs were associated with higher odds of presenting diagnosed acute minor and major disorders. In addition, increasing age was related to health-related discomfort and risk-taking, and girls generally reported poorer HRQOL. Findings reveal that functional and dysfunctional beliefs may constitute an important mechanism underpinning adolescent HRQOL and suggest that cognitive behavioral methods, designed to enhance the functional belief system, could ameliorate health-related outcomes.