Los acontecimientos vitales estresantes, la sintomatología y la adaptación en la infancia: estudio comparativo con pacientes de salud mental y escolares

This paper studied the relationship between stressful life events (SLE) and psychological symptoms (externalizing and internalizing symptomatology) and school and family adaptation in childhood. Participants were 552, 53.4% boys and 46.6% girls, aged between 10-12 years. Patients receiving treatment in mental health services and a community group were compared. At least one SLE in the past two years is experienced by 88.2% of children. SLE were significantly higher in the clinical group than in the community group. SLE are related to the increased presence of symptoms and lower levels of adaptation. The association between family SLE and hyperactivity symptoms is stronger in the clinical group than in the community group. Having experienced SLE and being a patient predict both symptomatology and adaptation.