AFECTIVIDAD, DIFICULTADES EN LA REGULACIÓN EMOCIONAL, ESTRÉS Y SALUD MENTAL EN ADOLESCENTES DEL ECUADOR EN TIEMPOS DE PANDEMIA DEL COVID-19

Theoretical framework. Adolescence is a crucial stage in human development, a product of biopsychosocial changes that will have an impact on mental health in the future. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between affectivity, emotional regulation difficulties and stress on mental health in a sample of high school teenagers in Ecuador. Method. Descriptive, correlational, comparative study by gender and cross-sectional, with tests of Positive and Negative Affect, Difficulties in Emotional Regulation, Goldberg’s General Health and Perceived Stress. Participants. There were 1.154 teenagers from 21 cities in Ecuador (67.7% female and 32.3% male). Ages ranged from 14 to 19 years (M= 15.69 years; SD =1.06). Results. There are moderately elevated levels in stress, somatization, anxiety and insomnia and social dysfunction. There are differences (p< .05) by gender in the difficulties of emotional regulation, stress and somatization, with greater presence in women than in men. The relationship of negative affect, emotional regulation difficulties and stress with mental health problems was confirmed. Conclusion. The impact of emotions and stress in the context of the current pandemic is significant in the mental health of teenagers.