3.4 Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety Disorders Among Lebanese Children and Adolescents: Results From the PALS Study

Abstract

Anxiety disorders (AD) are among the most common mental health conditions in children and adolescents; however, their prevalence and correlates in Lebanese children and adolescents remains an area that is yet to be understood. A nationally representative household sample of 1517 children and adolescents were recruited in Lebanon using probability sampling technique as part of the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study (PALS). Of those, 1287 participants aged 8 to 17 years, 11 months and their parents completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Peer Relations Questionnaire (PRQ), and the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES). Parents completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Among our sample, 290 participants (22.58%) had a probable AD. Their average age was 11.32 years, and 167 were females (57.49%). Among those with a probable AD, 127 (43.71%) screened positive for PTSD, 82 (28.22%) screened positive for suicidal ideation, 62 (21.35%) screened positive for depression, 28 (9.65%) screened positive for conduct disorder, and 25 (8.63%) screened positive for a hyperactivity disorder. In the logistic regression model, compared to children without AD, those with a probable AD were more likely to be females (OR = 1.705; 95% CI, 1.027-1.061), have acceptable (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.029-2.306) or suboptimal school performance (OR = 2.653; 95% CI, 1.214-5.800), be a victim of bullying only (OR = 4.074; 95% CI, 2.508-6.616), be a bully only (OR = 2.173; 95% CI = 1.385-3.408), be both a victim and a bully (OR = 4.471; 95% CI, 2.418-8.269), have a chronic physical illness (OR = 1.730; 95% CI, 1.066-2.809), and higher parental total score on the GHQ (OR = 1.044; 95% CI, 1.027-1.061). Also, compared to those without AD, children and adolescents with probable AD were less likely to be in the middle-income range (OR = 0.505; 95% CI, 0.344-0.741) or higher income range (OR = 0.418; 95% CI, 0.222-0.788). Only 20 (6.97%) of those with probable AD ever sought mental health help. Anxiety disorders among Lebanese children and adolescents are highly prevalent; however, only a minority of this population is seeking mental health help. The burden of AD and its correlates must inform public and private efforts to help mitigate the huge treatment gap.