Québec, December 3, 2024. – Today, the Institut de la statistique du Québec published the full report of the 2022–2023 Québec Health Survey of High School Students, conducted on behalf of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. While certain statistics were released last week, the report contains a wealth of other data, including by gender, grade level, socioeconomic characteristics, and the characteristics of young people’s social environment.
Since this is the third edition of the survey, it is possible to track the progression of several indicators of the health and well-being of high school students over a period of 12 years.
Improvements
The survey shows a marked decrease in substance use habits among students, including cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.
Regarding eating habits, there has been a decrease in the regular consumption of sugary drinks. In addition, the proportion of students who ate fast food in a restaurant or snack bar for lunch during the school week declined.
The proportion of young people who exhibited reckless or rebellious behaviour and delinquent behaviour also decreased.
Areas of concern
Other aspects of the survey are more worrying. The proportion of students who feel they are in excellent or very good health is on the decline. Moreover, the proportion of high school students with a mental disorder diagnosed by a health professional has increased.
There has also been an overall decrease in the proportion of students with high self-esteem and personal and social skills. The proportion of students who are satisfied with their appearance has also gone down.
Fewer students have a strong feeling of belonging in school. Furthermore, the proportion of students who eat fruits and vegetables has decreased, and the proportion of students who sleep less than the recommended number of hours for their age has increased.
While fewer young people are working during their studies, the proportion who have been injured at work has grown.
The majority of students in a romantic relationship experienced a relationship free of psychological, physical or sexual violence. However, the proportion of students who experienced at least one form of violence (psychological, physical or sexual) from their partner has increased.
Differences between boys and girls
The different aspects of youth health and well-being vary by gender. It appears that girls were in poorer physical and mental health than boys in 2022–2023. Proportionally, more girls than boys used substances (electronic cigarettes, alcohol or drugs), regularly spent four or more hours a day on screens, and did not get enough sleep during the school week. Girls were also the primary victims of violence in romantic relationships.
Boys were the main instigators of direct acts of aggression and rebellious and delinquent behaviour. In general, a higher proportion of boys than girls had healthy nutrition habits and a more active lifestyle. Although it has decreased since 2010–2011, the risk of dropping out of school is higher among boys than girls. However, proportionally more boys than girls have a strong feeling of belonging in school. Among students who work, more boys than girls have been injured at work.
Links between young people’s social and family environment and their health
Generally speaking, certain socioeconomic conditions are likely to promote good health in young people. They include: living in a two-parent family, having parents who attended college or university, having employed parents, and feeling that their family’s financial situation is more comfortable than the average of students in their class. Likewise, students who live in a favourable social environment or who have better personal or social skills are, in general, proportionally more likely to be in better health or experience greater well-being than others.
A chapter of the report explores the perception of the effects of the pandemic on young people, including on their learning experience, social relationships, mental health, and some of their lifestyle habits.
Read the full report (PDF) (in French only)
Read the highlights (in French only):
- La santé physique et les habitudes de vie des jeunes du secondaire
- La santé mentale, le soutien social et les relations des jeunes du secondaire
- Les jeunes du secondaire au travail et à l’école
Québec Health Survey of High School Students
The survey was conducted among 70,825 young people attending 483 French and English public and private schools across Québec. Due to the large size and representativeness of the sample, the excellent response rate, and the use of validated questions, the survey provides an accurate picture of the lives of Québec high school students.
The data will be used by decision makers and stakeholders in the public health and educational fields to implement actions or programs aimed at improving students’ lifestyle habits, physical and mental health, and ability to adapt to an ever-changing society. This data will also be made available to the scientific community for in-depth research through the ISQ’s data access services.
For 25 years, the Institut de la statistique du Québec has been producing, analyzing, and disseminating official, objective and high-quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.