<b>THE IMPACT OF STRESS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF MODERN CHILDREN. </b><b>Peculiarities of Legal Regulation</b>

Abstract. The study of the problem of anxiety and social emotional chronic stress in relation to the formation of disorders in the dentofacial system is highly relevant. The article is based on a quantitative study conducted among school-aged patients with harmful habits (such as thumb sucking, sucking foreign objects, mouth breathing, or resting their head on their hands during online classes) through anonymous surveys. The level of anxiety was assessed using the STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) scale. The article presents the results of an anonymous survey of 120 patients with dentofacial anomalies. Due to the war in Ukraine, children exhibit an elevated level of anxiety. A high level of anxiety transforms into stress, which becomes a more widespread issue, especially among children. It negatively impacts their lives and health, contributing to the progression of harmful habits and, in turn, the development of acquired dentofacial anomalies. The study of anxiety in children, social emotional chronic stress, the emergence of harmful habits, and, as a result, the development of dentofacial anomalies is of significant importance. Given the relevance of the issue, it is appropriate to examine the features of the legal regulation of children's healthcare. A key direction of state policy in the healthcare sector is creating conditions to prevent stress in children and providing them with the necessary psychological support and assistance. It is essential to improve the legal framework to reduce the negative impact of stress on children's physical and psychological health, which is the foundation for their harmonious development. Conclusions. The results of the anonymous survey indicate a high level of anxiety and chronic tension among the patients, their state of social stress, which is caused by the new living conditions due to the war in the country, online education, frequent shifts between periods of in-person communication, remote learning conditions, and psychological issues within the family, as well as the feeling of emotional relief during the use of harmful habits. Considering the psycho-emotional state of children in the context of legal regulation of healthcare is an important aspect that requires particular attention, given the growing impact of stress factors on their physical and mental health. The significance of a comprehensive approach to addressing this issue is confirmed by international standards, particularly the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees every child the right to the highest attainable standard of health and necessary medical care (Article 24). The implementation of the proposed measures will help reduce the impact of social stress on the development of harmful habits in children and foster their harmonious development.