Stress and Anxiety among High School Adolescents: Correlations between Physiological and Psychological Indicators in a Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

Gábor Pál Stromájer; Melinda Csima; Réka Iváncsik; Bernadett Varga; Krisztina Takács; Tímea Stromájer-Rácz

doi:10.3390/children10091548

Stress and Anxiety among High School Adolescents: Correlations between Physiological and Psychological Indicators in a Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

Children (Basel). 2023 Sep 14;10(9):1548. doi: 10.3390/children10091548.

Authors

Gábor Pál Stromájer¹, Melinda Csima², Réka Iváncsik², Bernadett Varga¹, Krisztina Takács¹, Tímea Stromájer-Rácz³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Basics of Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary.
² Institute of Education, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary.
³ Institute of Diagnostic, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary.

Abstract

Mental and psychological disorders are serious health problems worldwide. Anxiety among high school students can affect school performance, relationships, and family life.

Objective: Our aim is to understand the anxiety levels and associated factors among high school students and compare the results of psychological tests measuring anxiety with the cortisol levels obtained from biological sampling.

Method: In our longitudinal follow-up study, we involved 125 individuals in May 2019. Validated measurement tools were used during questionnaire data collection, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Clear Communication Scale, Multiple Social Perceived Support Scale, and related HBSC questions. As objective data, we collected hair samples for cortisol level measurement.

Results: At the end of the school year, the anxiety levels measured by psychological tests were significantly higher (p = 0.001) compared to the anxiety levels at the beginning of the next school year. Anxiety levels were higher among girls and were influenced by the type of school and parental expectations. Both state anxiety and trait anxiety showed a strong correlation with psychosomatic symptoms (p < 0.001) and anxiety arising from school expectations (p < 0.05). The changes in cortisol levels did not follow the changes in psychological tests. Cortisol level increased (p = 0.01) in the second sample.

Keywords: adolescent; anxiety; cortisol; school; stress.

Grants and funding

This article did not receive any external funding. It was supported by the University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Diagnostics. The OA was funded and affiliated by the University of Pécs.