How are adolescents affected? Influences of allergies on body image, life quality, and emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal development

Objective: Globally, the prevalence of atopic disorders has continued to rise. Although previous studies have investigated the co-occurrence of psychosocial factors and allergies, a comprehensive picture of allergies on adolescents, the very rapid and susceptible period for growth and development, has not been well addressed. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of atopic disorders (asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis) on adolescent emotions, behaviors, body image, interpersonal relationship, and life quality. Study design: From September to November, 2010, a self-reported questionnaire was distributed in Metropolitan Taipei area in Taiwan. A total of 1,395 students in fifty-one Grade 8 classes in the six selected schools participated. Multivariate logistic regression was performed. Results: We found that the prevalences of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis were 13.9%, 11.7%, and 50.6%, respectively. Aggressive behaviors were more frequently observed among adolescents with atopic disorders. Compared with unaffected students, youth with asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis were significantly at a 2.18- (95%CI=1.47-3.23), 1.89 (95%CI=1.22-2.91) and 1.41-fold (95%CI=1.05-1.89), respectively, increased risk of displaying both physical and verbal aggression, after adjusting for gender, parental education and marital status. Furthermore, adolescents with allergic rhinitis experienced higher anxiety, while those with atopic dermatitis reported more negative body image. No significant finding was observed for the link between depression and allergy among youth. Conclusion: With increasing rates of atopic disorders, more attention and intervention should be involved in diminishing effects of allergies on adolescents, a very critical period of both physical and emotional changes in life.