Conduct disorders and food insecurity in adolescence: The mediating effect of parental distress

Introduction. Food insecurity could have cumulative effects at different stages of child development. The aim of our research was to study the association between food insecurity and conduct disorders in adolescence and to test the mediating effect of parental distress in this association. Methods. The study was based on the Social and Health Survey of Children and Adolescents, a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 2346 youths aged 13-16 years and 1983 parents (Quebec,CA;1999). Conduct disorders were defined as the occurrence of at least three disturbing behaviours (out of a list of 15 items from the DSM IV) during the previous 6 months. Household food status was determined by means of three statements about the variety, quantity, and quality of food in situations of financial uncertainty (from Radimer/Cornell questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha=0.81). Parental psychological distress index was adapted from the Psychiatric Symptom Index. Analysis: Logistic regression analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (RMSEA=0.015;NFI=1). Results. After adjustment for other familial socioeconomic indicators, household food insecurity was associated with conduct disorders in adolescents (OR=1.74;IC=[1.22-2.49]). This risk was 2-fold higher in boys than in girls. In the structural equation model, the effect of food insecurity on conduct disorders decreases from b=0.12 (p≤0.01) to b=0.09 (p>0.05) after introducing parental distress variable. Parental distress was also significantly associated with food insecurity (b=0.30;p≤0.001)and conduct disorders (b=0.12;p≤0.05), being then a pathway between household food insecurity and adolescent's conduct disorders. Conclusion. These results give arguments for implicating social policies in prevention of psychosocial maladjustment in adolescents.