Abstract:
Introduction: Age ranging from 11 to 14 years is regarded as early adolescence. Females are p
vulnerable to experience stress with rapid physical, psychological, cognitive and social changes accompanied
in adolescence. Stress experienced in adolescence is linked with a range of adverse physical and psychological
consequences. The study aimed to determine the level of stress and factors contributing to stress among
female adolescents in the Galle educational zone, Sri Lanka.
Methods: A school based cross - sectional study was conducted on female adolescents (11 - 14 years, n = 218).
A self-administered socio-demographic questionnaire and psychosocial adversity scale were used to assess
socioeconomic status and psychosocial adversities respectively. The Body Mass Index (BMI), waist hip
ratio (WHR), waist height ratio (WHtR) and fat percentage (FM%) were calculated to assess the nutritional
status. Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ), which measures 9 dimensions of stress, was used to assess stress.
Results: Normal nutritional status was observed in 118 (54.1%) while 65 (29.8%) and 35(16.1%) adolescents
were underweight and overweight respectively. A majority of adolescents (n = 158, 72.9%) were experiencing
stress. An increased stress levels were observed for the domains of school attendance (n = 203, 93.1%), future
uncertainty (n = 202, 92.7%), school performance (n = 185, 84.9%), emerging responsibility (n = 186, 85.3%),
and conflict of school/leisure time (n = 178, 81.7%).
Conclusions: Most adolescents considered future uncertainty and school attendance as the greatest stress
inducing factors. Urgent measures to decrease stress levels amongst these adolescents need to be implemented.
