Objectives. - This study presents the results of a prospective survey using a sample of adolescents recently immigrated in Belgium. Methods. - The sample included 158 school-aged adolescents coming from 37 different countries at the beginning. The French VSP-A scale assessed the quality of life (vécu et santé perçue par les adolescents) at one year of interval (T1 and T2). Results. - More than half of the adolescents were lost in the second time (T2). The quality of life results at T2 showed a significant diminution for the dimensions "psychological well-being", "energy", "school", "parents" and a significant augmentation for the dimension "loisirs". A regression analyse identified the scores "friends" and "psychological well-being" at T1 as predictors of the global quality of life at T2. The results of immigrant adolescents at T2 have diminished until results observed in a Belgian adolescents sample, but global quality of life score became significantly lower in the immigrated sample. Conclusions. - This study shows necessity of a precocious and repeated mental health evaluation in newly immigrated adolescents. It underlines the importance of planned mental health promotion programs in school context. © 2006 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Mental health Immigration Quality of life Adolescence

rating scale prospective study immigrant regression analysis health survey human friend energy wellbeing psychologic assessment controlled study clinical observation quality of life Adolescent Belgium school scoring system Article sample size child care parent