Ana Marušić, Mario Malički, Dario Sambunjak, Ana Jerončić, Matko Marušić
Teaching science throughout the six-year medical curriculum: two-year experience from the University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Acta medica academica
recent studies highlighted importance peer relationships physical mental health late schoolage children however little known causal relationships whereby peer relationships affect health problems study aimed examine specific associations physical symptoms depression influential factors including quality peer relationships additionally causal relationships examined focusing mediating role quality peer relationships crosssectional study design employed 302 elementary students grades four five perceived socioeconomic status quality peer relationships family functioning physical symptoms depression symptoms measured selfreport questionnaires data analyzed descriptive statistics ttests anova pearsons correlations multiple regression number reported physical symptoms significant negative correlation peer relationships r 0517 p 0001 family functioning r 0279 p 0001 depression significantly negatively correlated quality peer relationships r 0775 p 0001 family functioning r 0428 p 0001 peer relationships mediated link family functioning physical symptoms peer relationships also mediated relationship family functioning depression peer relationships significantly influenced physical mental health late schoolage children korea nursing intervention programs improving peer relationships among children may necessary achieve optimal health status