Perceived stress among adolescents as a marker for future mental disorders: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Aim: The mental health problems of adolescents are important in relation to their future health and life course. The aim of this study was to investigate perceived stress in adolescence as a marker for later mental disorders. Methods: The data consisted of a combination of questionnaire and register data for 11,929 adolescents. Perceived stress was measured using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale divided into low, moderate and high perceived stress. Mental disorder was identified using the ICD-10 codes for Mental and Behavioural Disorders classified into whether the adolescents were diagnosed or not. Logistic regression was used to examine the prospective association between perceived stress and mental disorders during about 12 months of follow-up, including the adolescents self-rated health, sex and parental education. Results: In total, 247 adolescents (2.1%) were diagnosed with a mental disorder during follow-up. The perceived stress of the adolescents was associated with mental disorders, yielding two-fold higher odds of developing a mental disorder for adolescents reporting moderate perceived stress and six-fold higher odds among adolescents reporting high perceived stress in the adjusted model. Conclusions: Adolescents with high levels of perceived stress were more likely to develop a mental disorder. Interventions to reduce perceived stress among adolescents could therefore potentially help to identify groups at high risk for later mental disorders.

Physical Activity and Stress of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany—A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Areas

“…The present data imply that less psychopathological aspects (i.e., sadness) are also affected by the pandemic. This is particularly relevant because sadness as a symptom of stress may be an indicator of serious mental disorders [ 56 ].…”

Perceived stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and adolescents' depression symptoms: The moderating role of character strengths

“…Different perceived stress among individuals and the subsequent adoption of coping strategies are the explanatory mechanisms underlying the relationship between actual stressors and outcomes ( Lazarus & Folkman, 1984 ). Individuals with a higher global level of perceived stress may have more difficulty realizing positive cognition, emotion, and behaviors and are at greater risk for health problems ( Lindholdt et al, 2021 ; Yan et al, 2021 ). Depression symptoms, which feature a combination of depressed mood states, including feelings of sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness ( Li & Mei, 2002 ), constitute one of the most common mental health problems and are related to social maladjustment and physical symptoms among children and adolescents ( Makol & Polo, 2018 ).…”

School-Related Stressors and the Intensity of Perceived Stress Experienced by Adolescents in Poland

“…Acute stress responses in young, healthy individuals may be adaptive and typically do not impose a health burden [7]. However, cumulative and chronic stressors may lead to increased emotional distress, antisocial and risky-for-health behaviors, somatic symptoms, can cause elevated blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and generally, can have negative and lasting effects on physical and mental health in adulthood [8,9].…”