Mental Distress and Subjective Quality of Life Among Adolescents and Young Adults Living in Deprived Urban Areas in South America – A Cross-sectional Study

Background There has been extensive research on mental distress and quality of life, and various studies have shown an association between high distress and poorer subjective quality of life (SQoL). However, hardly any research has addressed these issues in young people in deprived urban areas who are exposed to a range of risk factors for experiencing mental distress. Objective The study aimed to assess the SQoL and symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults living in deprived urban areas in South America and explore the link between SQoL and symptoms. Methods In a cross-sectional study, we recruited participants aged 15/16 and 20–24 years old in deprived areas in Bogotá, Buenos Aires and Lima. Participants rated symptoms of depression and anxiety on the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 respectively and SQoL on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life. Results We recruited 2396 participants (1077 adolescents and 1319 young adults), with on average moderate symptom levels of depression and anxiety. Variations of satisfaction with different life domains were largely similar in the two age groups. Overall, participants were explicitly dissatisfied with their personal safety and financial situation, and most satisfied with the people they lived with, their sex life, family relations and friendships. Higher scores on both depression and anxiety scales showed moderate associations (from r = −0.31 to r = −0.52) with poorer SQoL in both age groups. Conclusion The SQoL of young people with moderate symptom levels of depression and anxiety and living in deprived urban areas in South America reflects the adverse environment they live in and points to positive resources in social relationships reducing mental distress and improving social conditions may lead to an improvement of quality of life in this population.