BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are very common among adolescents and the researches show that they are often related to depressive disorders and that their presence can be considered a risk factor for adolescent suicide. METHOD: SEYLE (Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe) is a randomized controlled trial of mental health promotion and suicide prevention among European High School students (Wasserman et al, 2010). The Italian sample consisted of 1195 adolescents (mean age 15.3±0.6; 68% females) from the Molise region. Baseline data about anxiety symptoms was collected using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (Zung, 1971). Scores below 45 suggests no, or minimal anxiety. Scores of 45-59 indicate mild or moderate anxiety levels; scores between 60 and 74 correspond to marked to severe anxiety and a score of 75 or above indicates extreme anxiety levels. RESULTS: The whole sample obtained an average score of 36.33 ± 5.88. 8.3% had a score ≥ 45, 0.4% had severe anxiety level but none of the students showed extreme anxiety levels (≥ 75). About gender differences, males obtained an average score of 34.14 ± 5.54 and 4.4% of them showed at list mild or moderate anxiety level; females average score was 37.22 ± 5.76 and 10.1% of them obtained a score of 45 or above. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings seem to confirm previous researches on anxiety disorders among adolescents showing a prevalence of about 8-18% and a higher incidence among females. Further analyses will clarify the relationship between anxiety symptoms and other disorders like depression as well as suicidal behaviour.
PREVALENCE OF ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AMONG ADOLESCENTS: FINDINGS FROM THE ITALAN SAMPLE OF THE SEYLE PROJECT
Recchia L;SARCHIAPONE, Marco;
2011-01-01
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are very common among adolescents and the researches show that they are often related to depressive disorders and that their presence can be considered a risk factor for adolescent suicide. METHOD: SEYLE (Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe) is a randomized controlled trial of mental health promotion and suicide prevention among European High School students (Wasserman et al, 2010). The Italian sample consisted of 1195 adolescents (mean age 15.3±0.6; 68% females) from the Molise region. Baseline data about anxiety symptoms was collected using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (Zung, 1971). Scores below 45 suggests no, or minimal anxiety. Scores of 45-59 indicate mild or moderate anxiety levels; scores between 60 and 74 correspond to marked to severe anxiety and a score of 75 or above indicates extreme anxiety levels. RESULTS: The whole sample obtained an average score of 36.33 ± 5.88. 8.3% had a score ≥ 45, 0.4% had severe anxiety level but none of the students showed extreme anxiety levels (≥ 75). About gender differences, males obtained an average score of 34.14 ± 5.54 and 4.4% of them showed at list mild or moderate anxiety level; females average score was 37.22 ± 5.76 and 10.1% of them obtained a score of 45 or above. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings seem to confirm previous researches on anxiety disorders among adolescents showing a prevalence of about 8-18% and a higher incidence among females. Further analyses will clarify the relationship between anxiety symptoms and other disorders like depression as well as suicidal behaviour.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
