Psychosocial determinants of stress among adolescents in an urban slum in a city of Western Maharashtra: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Stress is a major underlying factor in the manifestation of many mental disorders. The prevalence of stress among Indian adolescents varies from 13% to 45%. Hence, the present study was done to assess the psychosocial determinants of stress among adolescents in an urban slum. This was a cross-sectional analytical study (community based) in an urban slum from January to July 17 with a sample of 230 adolescents aged 10-19 years. An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) tool validated for use in the community was self-administered. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. The commonest stressors were perceived threat to economic position (84.3%), economic difficulty of meeting expenses for treatment of self/family members (63.5%), upcoming exams (61). The stressors that occurred significantly more often (p < 0.05) in males as compared to females were related to sexual desire, conflicts in love affairs, getting a job/employment issues, exam failure and interpersonal relationships within the family. Stressors that occurred significantly more often (p < 0.05) in females than in males were fear of sexual abuse/assault. Significant correlates of the presence of stress were male gender, nuclear family and low family income (p < 0.05). The stressors in adolescents in an urban slum are both internal and external. There are gender differentials in type of stressors faced by adolescents.