The main objective of this study was to review the literature and synthesize data on the mental health of Puerto Rican children in the New York City area to show that they are at higher risk of developing mental health problems than other children. Chapter 1 of this monograph reviews the development of the concept of stress ard its linkage with physical and psychological disorders. A demographic profile of Puerto Ricans in the United States is presented in Chapter 2 to demonstrate the socioeconomic characteristics that make this population more susceptible to disproportionate degrees of stress. The relationship of central nervous system dysfunction, stress, and environmental factors is discussed in Chapter 3, showing that Puerto Rican children are at greater risk for central nervous system impairments. Chapter 4 presents a summary of research comparing the mental health of New York Puerto Ricans to other groups. A mental health profile of Puerto Rican children is developed in this chapter. Conclusions of the study are presented in Chapter 5. The data indicates that Puerto Rican children are, in fact, subjected to extensive socioenvironmental stress and are, therefore, at high risk of having mental health disorders. Research and policy implications are discussed. (MK)