Perceived Stress; Sleep, Self-Esteem, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Adolescents

Abstract: AbstractBackground: Studies examining perceived stress, sleep, self-esteem and psychiatric symptoms by using validated questionnaires in adolescents are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of, potential associations between and sex differences in, perceived stress and psychiatric symptoms, sleep quality, self-esteem and self-rated health outcomes. Methods:Questionnaires were used to assess perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), psychiatric symptoms (Symptoms Checklist 90), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), self-esteem (I think I Am), and health outcomes (Folkhälsoenkäten). Perceived stress, sleep and psychiatric symptoms were examined in 194 Swedish adolescents aged 15-19 years and compared with Swedish reference data from 1996-1998. Perceived stress, self-esteem and health outcomes were examined in 636 Swedish and Bulgarian adolescents aged 15-16 years. Results:Higher levels of perceived stress and psychiatric symptoms were reported in 2011 compared with 1996-1998. More than 70% had poor sleep quality. Perceived stress was associated with sleep quality, self-esteem and psychiatric symptoms. Girls consistently reported higher levels of stress and more psychiatric and somatic symptoms than the boys.Conclusions: The findings support the idea that psychiatric symptoms in adolescents have increased, and that perception of stress and insufficient recovery may partly explain this development. Evaluating preventative measures early in life and their possibly effect on the future progression of symptoms, as well as evaluating methods for lessening the perception of stress, both by reducing the actual stress burden (if possible), strengthening coping-abilities and factors of resilience, should be considered.