Anxiety levels and school performance of Ecuadorian children from 3 to 5 years old: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Anxiety Disorder is common in kindergarten children. The high rates of anxiety disorder impact neurodevelopment and consequently may contribute to poor school performance. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of anxiety rates on the school performance of kindergarten children. It used the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) parent version in parents of Ecuadorian children. The statistical analyses included one hundred fourteen responses from parents of kindergarten children. The binomial logistic regression model for the SCARED rating for parents' answers was statistically significant for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (odds [OR], 0.036; 95% confidence interval and p <0.001. A statistically substantial score (odds [OR], 0.037; 95% confidence interval and p <0.001, was presented in Social Anxiety Disorder. Finally, school refusal was evaluated (odds [OR], 0.038; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.004-0.340) with a (p <0.003). A positive statistical correlation between social disorder and school avoidance correlated with anxiety disorder in kindergarten children. In conclusion, our results showed that Anxiety Disorders are common in kindergarten children. We did not find a correlation between anxiety levels and the school performance of our children sample. There is a positive relationship between anxiety and school avoidance in Ecuadorian children. Keywords: Anxiety Disorder; Kindergarten; Children; School performance Social disorder; School avoidance.