Abstract:

Introduction:
Discrimination is strongly related to low schooling, violence and school dropout in children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to describe the discrimination perceived by school children, analysing discrimination and mental health.

Material and methods:
Analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 350 male and female students in the last two years of compulsory education from public and private schools in an Andean city in northern Peru participated in this study. The Discrimination Scale, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory were used.

Results:
The best reduced model for perceived discrimination (R2=0.80) was found to include age (16-20 years), low self-esteem and an emotional or mental health problem. Also, 9 out of 10 school children perceived discrimination which was expressed as a disrespectful treatment and motivated mainly by weight and/or height, appearance, or physical defects. Finally, 7 out of 10 school children reported that the perceived discrimination interfered in their daily activities and in 6 of them even in their overall development.

Conclusions:
School discrimination is a reality in the Andean population, and intersectoral actions should be carried out to eradicate it and avoid its negative effects on academic life and personal development.

Keywords:

Discrimination, school children, self-esteem, mental health.