Percentage of psychoemotional problems in Spanish children and adolescents. Differences between 2006 and 2012

Abstract

Background and objective

To examine the percentage of psychoemotional problems in Spanish children and adolescents and the difference between 2006 and 2012.

Materials and methods

Data from 9761 participants were taken from the Spanish National Health Survey of 2006 and 2012. The Goodman Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to assess mental health. The percentage of participants with abnormal scores in the different scales was calculated. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, social level and adult mental health status were used.

Results

In 2012, the percentage of Spanish youths with emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer and prosocial problems and abnormal total problem score was 8.5, 6.7, 10.2, 7.7, 0.7 and 4%, respectively. In 2006, these percentages were 11.5, 10.2, 14.7, 10.1, 0.9 and 6.7%. A significant reduction was found for the percentage of children and adolescents with problematic behavior between 2006 and 2012.

Conclusions

Based on the total problem score, about 4% of Spanish youths suffer from psychoemotional problems. This percentage has decreased between 2006 and 2012.

Resumen

Fundamento y objetivo

Evaluar el porcentaje de problemas psicoemocionales en niños y adolescentes españoles y su diferencia entre 2006 y 2012.

Material y método

Se obtuvieron datos de 9.761 participantes en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de 2006 y de 2012. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de Fortalezas y Dificultades de Goodman para evaluar la salud mental. Se calculó el porcentaje de participantes con puntuaciones anormales en las diferentes escalas. Se realizaron test de la ji-cuadrado y regresiones logísticas multivariantes para ajustar por edad, sexo, clase social y estado de salud mental del adulto.

Resultados

En 2012, el porcentaje de menores con problemas emocionales, conductuales, de hiperactividad, en las relaciones con iguales, la conducta prosocial y en la puntuación total de dificultades fue, respectivamente, del 8,5, 6,7, 10,2, 7,7, 0,7 y 4%. En 2006 dichos porcentajes fueron del 11,5, 10,2, 14,7, 10,1, 0,9 y 6,7%. Se observó una disminución significativa del porcentaje de menores con conductas problemáticas entre 2006 y 2012.

Conclusiones

Según la puntuación total de dificultades, alrededor del 4% de la población infantojuvenil española presenta problemas psicoemocionales. Dicho porcentaje ha disminuido de 2006 a 2012.