Anxiety Disorders Among Students of Adolescent Age Group in Selected Schools of Tiruchirappalli, South India: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders among school-going children and adolescents worldwide. Multiple factors like internalization of the symptoms, lack of proper objective assessment, societal stigmatization, and influence of parental pressure may alter the prevalence and incidence. Aim: The current study is done to identify the prevalence of anxiety disorders in school children and their associated risk factors. Method: A total of 550 students (266 boys and 284 girls), studying in grades 8 to 12 in urban and rural schools chosen by stratified random sampling, were subjected to a questionnaire survey by the team of trained investigators using “Screen for Child Anxiety and Emotion-related Disorder (SCARED)—child Version.” Results: Total prevalence of anxiety assessed using the SCARED scale was 51%. The prevalence of subtypes of anxiety disorders was also identified viz, generalized anxiety disorder—16%, panic disorder—23%, school phobia—17%, separation anxiety—31%, and social phobia—13%. All the disorders showed higher incidence in girls (P