Negative life events, outdoor recreation and activities, health related quality of life among young adults – the health survey in Nord –Trøndelag (HUNT 3)

2010-08-02

Background - A great number of people are affected by Negative Life Events (NLE), such as

separation, death in close family and life threatening experiences every year. Findings indicate that

such events may cause an impaired Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Outdoor Recreation

and Activities (ODRaA) are believed to increase an individual’s HRQoL. However little scientific

research has been conducted in this area. Aims - The aim of the study was to investigate the

associations between Gender, Age, NLE, ODRaA and HRQoL. Method - Data from the third Nord

– Trøndelag Health Study (2006-2008) were used in the study. Young adults (20-29 yrs, N=2874)

participated in the study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to assess

HRQoL. Associations between gender, Age groups, NLE, ODRaA and HRQoL were assessed by

multifactor analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Results – Gender, Gender/Age NLE, ODRaA

associated significantly with HRQoL. Higher scores of ODRaA associated with higher scores of

HRQoL. NLE associated with a lower HRQoL. Females reported a lower HRQoL than males.

Discussion – Further research needs to address interventional studies of RCTs as well as longitudinal

follow-up studies conducted on populations with the experience on NLE participation in ODRaA vs.

non-participants in ODRaA and HRQoL.