HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (HBSC) IRELAND

World Health Organization Collaborative Cross-National Study


The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey is a WHO collaborative cross-national study that monitors the health behaviours, health outcomes and social environments of school-aged children every four years. HBSC Ireland surveys school-going children aged 9-18 years. The study is conducted by the HBSC Ireland team, based at the Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway.

2023

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Lunney, L., Maloney, R., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2023). New questions for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Ireland: Pilot 2022. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway. DOI: 10.13025/h9pf-rd42

2022

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2022). Physical activity among children with and without disabilities and chronic conditions: a case-control analysis. Short report for the Irish Physical Activity Report Card and Global Matrix 4.0 on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. DOI: 10.13025/45vh-fq40  download

2021

Gavin, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2021). CHO1 Area: Trends in health behaviours, health outcomes and contextual factors between 1998-2018. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. DOI: 10.13025/XXTT-ST9 download

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2021). Perceived discrimination in minority and matched non-minority adolescents in Ireland. Short report to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Government of Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. DOI: 10.13025/YDPB-CQ72 download

‌Költő, A., Vaughan, E., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2021). Sexual health of gender and sexual minority youth in Ireland. Submission to the Sexual Health Strategy. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

Nic Gabhainn, S., Gavin, A. & Kelly, C. (2021). Policy Priorities for Girls' Health. Short report to the Women's Health Task Force, Department of Health, April 2021. DOI: 10.13025/xsew-yf04  download

Nic Gabhainn, S., Költő, A., Gavin, A., & Kelly, C. (2021). Adolescent Sexual Health Behaviours in Ireland. Submission to the Sexual Health Strategy. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

2020

Gavin, A., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2020). HBSC Ireland: Health and wellbeing among young carers in 2014 and 2018. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

Költő, A., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2020). Sun and ultraviolet light-related behaviours in schoolchildren of Ireland: Data from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

Költő, A., Ravikumar, D., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2020). HBSC Ireland 2018: Health and well-being of young people in Donegal. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway. download

2019

Watters, C.R., Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Költő, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2019). Health behaviour in school-aged children: Short report on Traveller mental health and wellbeing. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download

2018

Költő, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2018). Attraction and love in schoolchildren in Ireland: Short report on pilot. Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

Költő, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2018). HBSC Ireland 2014: Self-reported height in 8 to 18 years old schoolchildren in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Carly Cheevers, Department of Public Health, HSE, Tullamore.  download 

Költő, A., Harrington, A., Kavanagh, A., Tyrrell, L., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2018). New questions for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Ireland: Pilot 2018. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

2017

Burke, L. & Gavin, A. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Young people's drinking in the North Dublin area. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Louise McCulloch, North Dublin Regional Drugs Task Force. ‌download  

Burke, L. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Aoife Dowling, All-Island Research Observatory. download  

Gavin, A. & Keane, E. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Club participation and physical activity. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Aoife Lane, Waterford Institute of Technology. download 

Perry, C., Keane, E., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2017). HBSC Ireland 2014: Alcohol and cannabis use in school-children in Ireland (updated). Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Deirdre Mongan, Health Research Board. ‌download 

2016

Callaghan, M., Keane, E., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Young carers in the 2014 HBSC study. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. ‌download 

Gavin, A. & Keane, E. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Tobacco use among 15 to 17 year olds. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Keisha Taylor, TobaccoFree Research Institute. download 

Gavin, A., Keane, E., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Physical activity and club participation. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Aoife Lane, Waterford Institute of Technology. download  

Keane, E., Callaghan, M., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Trends in soft drink consumption in Irish schoolchildren from 1998 to 2014. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Institute of Public Health in Ireland. download 

Keane, E. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Description of the child developed 'Does your family play with you?' question asked in HBSC Ireland 2014 study. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. download 

Keane, E., Perry, C., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Health and risk behaviour among school children in Donegal. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Donegal Children and Young People's Services Committee. download

Perry, C., Keane, E., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Injuries among schoolchildren in Ireland in 2010 and 2014. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Jude Cosgrove, Institute of Public Health in Ireland. download  

Perry, C., Keane, E., Callaghan, M., & Molcho, M. (2016). HBSC Ireland 2014: Traveller children's health and lifestyle compared to all other children in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway.  download  

2015

Callaghan, M., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2015). HBSC Ireland 2010: School characteristics, policy and context in Ireland: HBSC Ireland post-primary schools. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

2013

Burke, L., Gavin, A., Courtney, L., Nic Gabhainn, S., & Kelly, C. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Sexual behaviours of 15-17 year olds in the mid-west region and in care. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Red Ribbon project. download  

Callaghan, M., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2103). HBSC Ireland: Preliminary analysis of the HBSC school level questionnaire. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

Courtney, L., Gavin, A., Gajewski, J., Molcho, M., Nic Gabhainn, S., & Kelly, C. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: School experiences among children in care. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

Gajewski, J. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Health and risk behaviour among children in Kilkenny compared to the Irish children in other parts of the country. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download  

Gajewski, J. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Health and risk behaviour among children in Waterford compared to the Irish children in other parts of the country. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download 

Gajewski, J. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Socio-economic variations in tobacco smoking among school-aged children in Ireland: 2002, 2006 and 2010. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Dr Helen McAvoy, Institute of Public Health Ireland. downloaddownloaddownloaddownload‌ 

Gajewski, J., Young, H., Burke, L., Courtney, L., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC 2014: Pilot study for HBSC 2014 questions. Galway: HBSC Ireland, Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway. download 

Sullivan, L. & Molcho, M. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Emotional and physical symptoms and bullying. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for Hugh Magee, Department of Health. download  

Sullivan, L. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013). HBSC Ireland 2010: Comparison figures for schoolchildren in County Carlow with the rest of the HBSC survey. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Children's Services Committee, Carlow. download 

2012 

Callaghan, M., Gavin, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Tobacco use among schoolchildren in Ireland 2010, 2006, 2002 and 1998. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download

Callaghan, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Nutritional behaviours among schoolchildren in Ireland 2010. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children's Lives 2011-2016. download 

Clarke, N., Kelly, C., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Workshop to access young people’s opinions of the findings of the 2010 Health Behaviour of School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. download

Clarke, N., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Alcohol consumption and cannabis use among schoolchildren in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download  

Clarke, N. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Body image among Irish children. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. download 

Clarke, N. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Health and risk behaviour among children in Donegal. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Donegal Children's Services Committee. download  

Gavin, A. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Tobacco use among schoolchildren in Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Cancer Control Programme. download  

Sullivan, L. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012). HBSC Ireland 2010: Physical activity, active travel and exercise among schoolchildren in Ireland 2010. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children's Lives 2011-2016. download  

2009

Doyle, P., Molcho, M., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009). HBSC Ireland 2006: Age related patterns in alcohol consumption and cannabis use among Irish children between 1998-2006. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download  

Doyle, P. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009). HBSC Ireland 2006: Self-reported health among children for the Travelling Community. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study, University College Dublin. download  

2008

Brennan, G. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Child well-being in South County Dublin. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Mary O'Brien of Gamma Ltd. and Maria Donohue of the South Dublin County Council. download 

Brennan, G. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Physical activity patterns by age and gender. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to Dr Niamh Murphy, Waterford Institute of Technology. download  

Gavin, A., De Roiste, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Age related patterns in alcohol consumption among Irish children. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Youth Council of Ireland. download    

Gavin, A., De Roiste, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006Urban and rural patterns in alcohol consumption among Irish children. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Youth Council of Ireland. download  

Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Molcho, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Child well-being in Dublin City. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report for the Dublin City Children’s Services Committee. download  

Molcho, M., Gavin, A., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008) HBSC Ireland 2006: Cannabis and volatile substance use between 1998-2006. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Research Board. download

Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Smoking behaviour between 1998-2006. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Population Health Directorate, Health Services Executive. download  

Nic Gabhainn, S., Molcho, M., & Kelly, C. (2008). HBSC Ireland 2006: Frequency of smoking behaviour in middle childhood and adolescence. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Office of Tobacco Control, Ireland. download   

2007

Molcho, M., Kelly, C., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2007). HBSC Ireland 2006: Smoking behaviour among Irish schoolchildren. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Office of Tobacco Control, Ireland. download  

Nic Gabhainn, S., Molcho, M., Gallois, A., & Kelly, C. (2007). HBSC Ireland 2006: Bullying and disability among Irish schoolchildren. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Disability Authority, Ireland. download  

2006

Molcho, M., Fleming. F., Friesling, S., & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2006). Report of a pilot study for the HBSC 2006 survey. Galway: HBSC Ireland, Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway. download 

2005 

Bourke, H. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: Tobacco, alcohol and drugs among 15-17 year olds: comparisons across the western region. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. A short report to the Public Health Department of the HSE Western Region. download  

Molcho, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: The health behaviour of school-aged children in the South Western Area Health Board. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Promotion Department of the South Western Area Health Board. download 

Nic Gabhainn, S. & Bourke, H. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: Contribution to the national set of well-being indicators for children, 2005. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Children's Office, Department of Health and Children, Dublin. download 

Nic Gabhainn, S., Bourke, H., & Molcho, M. (2005). HBSC Ireland 2002: Data on community involvement and perceptions from HBSC Ireland 2002. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the National Children's Office, Department of Health and Children, Dublin. download  

2004

Nic Gabhainn, S. (2004). HBSC Ireland 2002: Bullying others and being bullied among schoolchildren in the north-west of Ireland. Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI Galway. Short report to the Health Promotion Department of the North Western Health Board. download