[Quality of life of children: importance of its evaluation. Comparison of children in good health with those at risk (psychological, social, somatic)].

A multicentric study was performed in France and Spain: 490 children were evaluated with a previously validated questionnaire including open-ended questions and structured response format questions. Children are either in good health or suffering from somatic diseases, psychological problems or social difficulties; 38% of the children are Spanish, 62% are French; the questionnaire validation was checked again, and confirmed. Children are happy about their leisure, and unhappy when separated from their families. Among the factors affecting the answers to the structured format questions the most important are the social difficulties and to a lesser extent the psychological problems. Somatic diseases impair the child's quality of life in Spain. Children differ according to the country where they live. Among children in good health, Spanish children report a better quality of life than French children. Open-ended answers were only studied in France. They were very different when children with social difficulties or psychological problems filled out the questionnaire and were compared to children in good health or with somatic diseases. Both children with psychological and social difficulties mention more often the relationship domain. Children with social problems never mention their activities as a source of happiness.