The Relative Frequency of Anxiety and Its Correlation with Individual and Family Factors Among Adolescents in Shiraz, 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problems in adolescents. Uncontrolled anxiety disorders during this period not only negatively affect adolescents' current performance but can also have long-term negative consequences on their physical and mental health. Objectives: This study is designed to investigate the relative frequency of anxiety and its correlation with individual and family characteristics among first-grade high school students in Shiraz, 2020. Methods: This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, conducted on 360 first-grade high school students who were selected using a multi-stage sampling method in Shiraz, Iran. Data were collected through online questionnaire software, which included the Beck Anxiety Inventory and a Demographic Questionnaire, and were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. Results: The relative frequency of anxiety disorders in the study samples was 59.7% (60.9% in girls and 56.6% in boys); among them, 13.1% experienced severe anxiety, 16.9% had moderate anxiety, and 29.7% had mild anxiety. The results of univariate analysis showed correlations between anxiety disorders and factors such as father's unemployment (P = 0.04), a history of physical and mental problems in teenagers (P = 0.04 and P = 0.001, respectively), and the lack of friendly relations between family members (P = 0.001). Additionally, the results of logistic regression analysis indicated that adolescents with mental illness and those lacking friendly relationships within their family had higher chances of experiencing anxiety disorders compared to other participants (OR = 5.00, P = 0.04 and OR = 9.95, P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions: In this study, mental illness and the lack of friendly relations between family members emerged as significant factors contributing to adolescents' anxiety. Therefore, identifying and addressing these related factors, along with timely diagnosis and treatment of this disorder in adolescents, should be prioritized by mental health officials.