Onychophagia and Associated Psychological Factors in Adolescents: A Comparison Between Urban and Rural Areas in the District of Caaguazú, Paraguay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56067/saetauniversitaria.v14i1.526Keywords:
School onychophagia, Anxiety, Stress, Adolescents, Urban and rural areasAbstract
Onychophagia is a common habit among adolescents and is associated with psychological factors such as stress and anxiety. This comparative study aimed to analyze the prevalence of onychophagia and its relationship with psychological variables in students from two schools in the district of Caaguazú: one located in an urban area and the other in a rural area. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational design was applied, with a sample of 320 adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years. The Beck Anxiety Inventory for Youth (BAI-Y), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and an onychophagia questionnaire were used. The results show a higher prevalence of onychophagia in the urban area (61.9%) compared to the rural area (49.4%), with significant associations with moderate/severe anxiety and high stress levels. Implications for school-based psychological interventions are discussed.
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