A new national study of over 13,000 Canadian youth aged 12–17, published in Scientific Reports, shows that young people living with chronic health conditions—especially mental disorders or multiple co‑occurring conditions—face significantly greater challenges to their well‑being than their healthy peers.
- Youth with a mental disorder or multimorbidity reported the highest stress levels and the lowest happiness and life satisfaction.
- Those with physical illnesses or neurodevelopmental disorders showed some declines in well‑being, but to a much lesser degree.
- Girls generally reported more stress and lower happiness and life satisfaction than boys, and the impact of having chronic conditions was often stronger for girls.
The findings highlight an urgent need for holistic, gender‑sensitive supports for youth living with chronic illnesses—supports that address not just physical health, but also emotional well‑being and social challenges. Early screening, routine follow‑up, and strong family and school‑based supports can help reduce stress, improve daily coping, and promote healthier development.
Overall, these results reinforce the idea that youth well‑being is shaped by multiple aspects of health that are best understood together.
