Influence of Stress and Depressed Mood on Adolescent Health: Concurrent and Prospective Analysis

Abstract

This study examined concurrent and prospective associations among adolescent’s health problems and some emotional factors and to examine gender differences. Participants were 307 students, 14 to 19 years old, from Concepción (Chile). Results showed significant concurrent relationships of reported health problems with stressful events, perceived stress and depressed mood. In the prospective analysis depressed mood was a significant predictor of reported health problems 11 month later. Compared to males, adolescent females reported higher levels of health problems and also higher scores in the other variables, except in the number of stressful events. Diverse explanatory factors for obtained results are proposed.