Correlates of Anxiety Symptoms among Adolescents in Pakistan

Background: Previous studies conducted in Western countries reported anxiety symptoms and disorders to occur commonly in adolescents. Amongst the most consistent correlates of anxiety symptoms and disorders include: being female, school stress, and parental styles. Although these findings have enhanced our understanding of anxiety, little is known about the extent to which they can be generalized to adolescents who live in other cultures such as Pakistan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and their correlates among adolescents in Pakistan.

Method: A total of 1277 adolescents (569 girls, 708 boys), aged 13 to 17 years, participated in this research. They completed a set of questionnaires which were used to measure DSM-IV anxiety disorder symptoms, general difficulties and positive attributes, self-construals, school stress, and parental bonding.

Results: The highest score was found for symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, followed by symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Girls scored significantly on the symptoms of specific phobia, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, and separation anxiety disorders compared to boys. Symptoms of obsessive disorder were significantly higher in boys than in girls. Total anxiety symptoms correlated significantly positive with independent and interdependent self-construals, school stress, and parental overprotection. Anxiety symptoms correlated significantly negative with parental care.

Conclusion: The present findings showed very high anxiety levels among adolescents in Pakistan. Future studies need to explore the effects of cultural context and environmental experiences that account for the high level of anxiety symptoms among adolescents in Pakistan.