Manifestaciones psíquicas y somáticas de ansiedad en adolescentes de secundaria

Abstract

Introduction: Mental disorders among the population have become a health issue. In adolescents the presence of anxiety stands out and this presents a pathological state that can cause physical, psychological, and behavioral dysfunction affecting various areas of life. Objective: Identify the mental and somatic symptoms of anxiety in adolescents enrolled in secondary schools; determine the intensity of the anxiety and the variance of such by age and gender, and identify the connection between anxiety and age. Methodology: This correlation study took place within a sample of 312 adolescents, secondary school students in the state of Puebla, ages 11 to 16; stratified random sampling was performed by grade and school group; the Hamilton Anxiety Scale was used, the study adhered to General Health Law, and the privacy and confidentiality of the information was protected. For statistical analysis the Chi-Square Test and Spearman correlation were applied. Results: The majority of adolescents revealed mental symptoms such as difficulty concentrating (57.5%) and somatic such as sensations of heat and coldness (52.8%) over the last month and seven days; more than 40% of the adolescents exhibit moderate/severe anxiety, however, no significant statistical difference was found due to age and gender, nor there was a connection between anxiety and age (p >.05). Conclusions: The adolescents show mental and somatic symptoms of anxiety from early ages that can generate disorders in different areas and stages of life; it is necessary to perform nursing interventions to prevent complications.