Social Deprivation and Psychological Distress in East London Adolescents: The RELACHS study (Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey)
M. Haines, S. Stansfield, K. Bhui, R, Booy, J. Head, S. Taylor and S. Hillier
Institute of Community Heath Sciences, Barts, London; Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London; University College, London; and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Sydney
Contact Email:   mary.hainesau.pwcglobal.com

International surveys have not provided enough data on the health of ethnic minority and socially deprived adolescents. The aim of the RELACHS study is to conduct an adolescent health survey in one of the most deprived and ethnically varied areas in the UK. RELACHS was commissioned as an evaluation of the East London Health Action Zone. RELACHS is a longitudinal prospective school-based epidemiological study of a representative sample of 2790 adolescents (11-14 years) from 28 schools in East London. Questionnaires were group administered and completed individually by the pupils in classrooms. Outcomes measured were: mental and physical health, health behaviours, social capital and socio-demographic factors using questions that were age-appropriate, reliable and valid. Mental health was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). At baseline, the response rate was 84%, and 74% of the sample was non-white. Adolescents in East London had much higher rates of psychological problems compared with national level rates; specifically 25% higher in boys and twice as high in girls compared to national UK samples. Part of the explanation could relate to high rates of social deprivation and part to ethnic differences. The social policy implications of these results for Australia will be discussed.

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