Key result
Psychosocial stress is linked to a ~13-point higher rate of elevated blood pressure in youth.
Why the study?
Hypertension is an increasing concern among adolescents in low and middle-income countries where psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors are widespread. Early identification of modifiable psychosocial influences is crucial for preventing the progression of elevated blood pressure into adult hypertension.
Is exposure to psychosocial stress factors associated with elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents aged 8 to 14 years in Ibadan, Nigeria?
Cross-Sectional (n=335)
Yes
Is exposure to psychosocial stress factors associated with elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents aged 8 to 14 years in Ibadan, Nigeria?
This cross-sectional study demonstrates a significant association between specific psychosocial stress domains—such as home life, social relations, financial hardship, and future uncertainty—and blood pressure status in Nigerian children and adolescents, highlighting the potential value of targeted psychosocial interventions.
Supports stress assessment during BP evaluation in Nigerian youth; leaves open causality and intervention effects.
Background Hypertension is increasingly recognized as a public health concern among adolescents, particularly in low and middle-income countries where exposure to psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors is widespread. Early identification of risk factors, including modifiable psychosocial influences, is crucial for halting the progress of elevated blood pressure into hypertension in adulthood. This study investigated the association between psychosocial stress and elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 335 children and adolescents aged 8 -14years. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire that assessed exposure to psychosocial stress factors and clinical measurements of blood pressure. Data were analysis using descriptive statistics, and associations explored using Pearson’s and Mantel Haenszel chi-square tests. Results The overall prevalence of psychosocial stress was 51.3%. Overall blood pressure status was statistically significantly associated with stress in home life (χ 2 = 8.134, p = 0.006), social relation (χ 2 = 4.919, p = 0.036) and future uncertainty (χ 2 = 5.100, p = 0.028). Overall psychosocial stress was also statistically associated with overall blood pressure status (χ 2 = 7.943, p = 0.005). In stratified analysis, age was associated with home life stress (p = 0.005), social relation (p = 0.021), future uncertainty (p = 0.014) and financial hardship (p = 0.047). Sex was also significantly associated with homelife (p = 0.007), social relation (p = 0.029), and future uncertainty (p = 0.030). Conclusion Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measurement are affected differentially by psychosocial stress at different domain. Psychosocial stress also shows significant association with the overall elevated blood pressure at different domain. These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial interventions targeted at adolescents, especially those experiencing socioeconomic and family-related stressors.
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DAIRO et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Elevated blood pressure (n=335). Psychosocial stress (Adolescent Stress Scale Questionnaire score 38-74) vs. Low/no psychosocial stress (score 0-37) was evaluated on Overall elevated blood pressure status (p=0.005). Overall psychosocial stress was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure status in Nigerian children and adolescents (14.5% vs 27.0%, p = 0.005).
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