School factors and anxiety disorder among Hispanic youth: Results from the 2016 US National Survey on Children’s Health

Abstract

Anxiety disorders continue to be a major mental health problem among Hispanic youth. A greater understanding of particular risk factors among this at-risk population may assist school health professionals in developing psychosocial interventions designed to mitigate this growing problem. The present study evaluated a variety of school factors related to anxiety among a national sample of Hispanic youth in the US. A secondary analysis of the 2016 National Children’s Health Survey was conducted. A total of 2,138 of Hispanic adolescents aged 12- to 17-years-old participated in the study. A sizeable percentage (10.9%) of Hispanic youth reported anxiety. Results from the final multivariate regression model indicated that bullying others or excluding them, being bullied or excluded by others, not doing all required homework, and school contact to parents about their child’s behavior were all significant risk factors for anxiety among Hispanic adolescents in the US. These risk factors should be considered when planning school health and psychology interventions for Hispanic adolescents in the US.

School educational models and child mental health among K-12 students: a scoping review

“…The association between homework and psychological ill-being outcomes was investigated in four cross-sectional studies and one longitudinal study. Incomplete homework and longer homework durations were associated with a higher risk of anxiety symptoms [ 91 , 92 ], negative emotions [ 93 – 95 ] and even psychological distress in adulthood [ 96 ].…”

“…As we reviewed above, heavy academic burden exists as an important school-related stressor for students [ 91 , 92 , 94 – 96 ], probably due to excessive examinations [ 97 – 99 ] and unsatisfactory academic performance [ 100 – 102 ]. Actually, extrinsic cultural factors significantly impact upon student academic burden.…”

“I Wish I Could Have Helped Him in Some Way or Put the Family on Notice”: an Exploration of Teachers’ Perceived Strengths and Deficits in Overall Knowledge of Suicide

“…Schools represent a structure in which adolescents develop their academic skills, and prosocial behaviors and tendencies, and are exposed to various factors that may enhance or impair their psychological development (Yockey et al, 2019). Bowden et al (2019) found that school-based interventions that draw on existing structural support offered by school communities may be an option for targeting suicide prevention.…”

Impact of anxiety and depression on academic achievement among underserved school children: evidence of suppressor effects

“…Though not reported to the same degree as their non-Hispanic counterparts, Hispanic youth experience high rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Previous studies indicate that 11%–29% of Hispanic youth experience anxiety (Potochnick & Perreira, 2010 ; Yockey et al, 2019 ), and 7%–22% experience depressive symptoms (Potochnick & Perreira, 2010 ; Saluja et al, 2004 ). Further, it has been found that Hispanic girls are more likely to experience depressive and anxiety symptoms (Gudiño & Lau, 2010 ; Lorenzo-Blanco et al, 2011 ; McLaughlin et al, 2007 ).…”

“…There are potentially multiple sources of anxiety and depression for Hispanic youth, especially in the school setting. By being a victim of physical bullying, verbal bullying, feeling unsafe in school, and lacking social acceptance and social support (Stapinski et al, 2014 ; Yockey et al, 2019 ), school becomes a threatening environment and triggers the cycle of anxiety. Stereotype threat may also be part of this cycle of anxiety.…”