Prevalence of stress among schoolchildren, and associated family factors, in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico.

Abstract

Nowadays childhood stress represents an increasingly important factor that silently and negatively influences the
health of children. The current contribution analyzes the presence of stress in a representative sample of 255 primary school children between 9 and 10 years old (132 girls and 123 boys) that were in the fourth grade in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico. Stress was detected in these children by employing the Inventory of Childhood Stress by Vega. Afterwards, a closed interview was carried out with the parents of stressed children to explore the possibility of
a dysfunctional family. In a large percentage (43.1%) of children, a notably high level of stress was found. Among
stressed children, the majority of were girls (27%), and for both genders separation of the parents was common. Marital dissolution produces well known stress factors. The percentage of marital dissolution among parents in the
study was in accordance with demographic statistics. The greater percentage of girls experiencing stress could be
explained by the differences in perception of stress influenced by gender. These facts should be taken into account by state health authorities when designing policies for school children, with the aim of diminishing the negative impact of stress in the growth and development of society.