Social anxiety in 17-year-olds in Stockholm, Sweden - A questionnaire survey

Abstract

Objective: Social anxiety among adolescents in Sweden has not been studied. This pilot study assessed the occurrence of social anxiety in 17-year-olds in Stockholm, Sweden. Method: Two hundred and thirty seven students attending the first year of Swedish upper secondary school respanded to a questionnaire designed to define cases based on diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) criteria adapted to adolescents. Results: Twenty one per cent of the responders had impaired function due to social anxiety, one half of which was primarily related to school performance. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary support for the occurrence of a subgroup of adolescent social anxiety that primarily impairs school performance. Teachers learning to recognize these youths may implement confidence-building measures during these formative years that facilitates higher learning.