Anxiety In Young Adults Research Articles

A Replication and Extension of the PEERS® for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Young adults with ASD experience difficulties with social skills, empathy, loneliness, and social anxiety. One intervention, PEERS® for Young Adults, shows promise in addressing these challenges. The present study replicated and extended the original study by recruiting a larger sample (N = 56), employing a gold standard ASD assessment tool, and examining changes in social anxiety utilizing a randomized controlled trial design. Results indicated improvements in social responsiveness (SSIS-RS SS, p = .006 and CPB, p = .005; SRS, p = .004), PEERS® knowledge (TYASSK, p = .001), empathy (EQ, p = .044), direct interactions (QSQ-YA, p = .059), and social anxiety (LSAS-SR, p = .019). Findings demonstrate further empirical support for the intervention for individuals with ASD.

The natural history of internalizing behaviours from adolescence to emerging adulthood: findings from the Australian Temperament Project.

The aims of the study were to describe the patterning and persistence of anxiety and depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood and to examine long-term developmental relationships with earlier patterns of internalizing behaviours in childhood. We used parallel processes latent growth curve modelling to build trajectories of internalizing from adolescence to adulthood, using seven waves of follow-ups (ages 11-27 years) from 1406 participants of the Australian Temperament Project. We then used latent factors to capture the stability of maternal reported child internalizing symptoms across three waves of early childhood follow-ups (ages 5, 7 and 9 years), and examined relationships among these patterns of symptoms across the three developmental periods, adjusting for gender and socio-economic status. We observed strong continuity in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. In contrast, adolescent anxiety was not persistent across the same period, nor was it related to later depressive symptoms. Anxiety was, however, related to non-specific stress in young adulthood, but only moderately so. Although childhood internalizing was related to adolescent and adult profiles, the associations were weak and indirect by adulthood, suggesting that other factors are important in the development of internalizing symptoms. Once established, adolescent depressive symptoms are not only strongly persistent, but also have the potential to differentiate into anxiety in young adulthood. Relationships with childhood internalizing symptoms are weak, suggesting that early adolescence may be an important period for targeted intervention, but also that further research into the childhood origins of internalizing behaviours is needed.

Long-term depressive symptoms and anxiety after transient ischaemic attack or ischaemic stroke in young adults.

Few studies exist on long-term post-stroke depressive symptoms and anxiety in young adults, although these young patients have a particular interest in their long-term prognosis, given their usually long life expectancy and being in the midst of an active social, working and family life. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety and their association with clinical and demographic variables and with functional outcome after stroke in young adults. Long-term prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety was calculated in 511 patients with a transient ischaemic attack or ischaemic stroke, aged 18-50 years, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, compared with 147 controls. Functional outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Score (mRS) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL). 16.8% of patients had depressive symptoms and 23.0% had anxiety, versus 6.1% (P = 0.001) and 12.2% (P < 0.001) in controls. In ischaemic stroke patients, depressive symptoms and anxiety were associated with poor functional outcome (mRS > 2 or IADL < 8). Even a decade after stroke at young age, depressive symptoms and anxiety were prevalent and associated with poor functional outcome. Therefore, even in the long term, treating physicians should be aware of the long-term presence of these symptoms as their recognition may be the first step in improving long-term functional independence.

The Psychometric Properties of PHQ-4 Depression and Anxiety Screening Scale Among College Students

Depression and anxiety are some of the most common causes of morbidity, social dysfunction, and reduced academic performance in college students. The combination of improved surveillance and access to care would result in better outreach. Brief screening tools can help reach larger populations of college students efficiently. However, reliability and validity of brief screeners for anxiety and depression have not been assessed in college students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess in a sample of college students the psychometric properties of PHQ-4, a brief screening tool for depression and anxiety. Undergraduate students were recruited from general education classes at a Midwestern university. Students were given a questionnaire that asked them whether they had been diagnosed by a doctor or health professional with anxiety or depression. Next, they were asked to respond to the items on the PHQ-4 scale. A total of 934 students responded to the survey (response rate=72%). Majority of the participants were females (63%) and Whites (80%). The internal reliability of PHQ-4 was found to be high (α=0.81). Those who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety had statistically significantly higher scores on PHQ-4 (p<0.01). Corrected item total correlations for PHQ-4 were between r=0.66 and r=0.80. PHQ-4 operating characteristics were estimated and area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.835 and 0.787, respectively for anxiety and depression. The PHQ-4 is a reliable and valid tool that can serve as a mass screener for depression and anxiety in young adults. Widespread implementation of this screening tool should be explored across college campuses.

Adolescents and young adults with asthma and allergies: Physical activity, self-efficacy, social support, and subsequent psychosocial outcomes

ABSTRACTObjective: To examine the relationships between self-efficacy (SE) and social support (SS) for physical activity (PA), weekly moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and depression and anxiety in young adults (YAs) with asthma and allergies. Methods: Participants were 611 YAs (age M = 19.56 ± 3.28). YAs completed measures of SE for PA, SS for PA, depression, anxiety, and weekly MVPA. Results: The hypothesized model demonstrated close fit to the data and was not adversely affected by pruning non-significant paths, χ2 (457, n = 611) = 1085.31, p < 0.01, RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.95, NNFI = 0.95. The final model supported the hypothesized relationships between MVPA and exercise-related SE, as well as SS for exercise from friends. Interestingly, MVPA was negatively associated with SS from parents. SE for exercise significantly predicted SS from family and friends. SS from friends was a significant mediator of the relationship between SE and MVPA. The relationship between MVPA and anxiety and depression was unsubstantiated. Conclusions: In this population, exercise-related SE and SS from friends were associated with higher rates of MVPA. Techniques aimed at boosting exercise confidence and involving friends in exercise routines may increase MVPA in YAs with asthma and allergies.

Effect of Audiovisual Treatment Information on Relieving Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Removal

The authors hypothesized that an audiovisual slide presentation that provided treatment information regarding the removal of an impacted mandibular third molar could improve patient knowledge of postoperative complications and decrease anxiety in young adults before and after surgery. A group that received an audiovisual description was compared with a group that received the conventional written description of the procedure. This randomized clinical trial included young adult patients who required surgical removal of an impacted mandibular third molar and fulfilled the predetermined criteria. The predictor variable was the presentation of an audiovisual slideshow. The audiovisual informed group provided informed consent after viewing an audiovisual slideshow. The control group provided informed consent after reading a written description of the procedure. The outcome variables were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Dental Anxiety Scale, a self-reported anxiety questionnaire, completed immediately before and 1week after surgery, and a postoperative questionnaire about the level of understanding of potential postoperative complications. The data were analyzed with χ(2) tests, independent t tests, Mann-Whitney Utests, and Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Fifty-one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The audiovisual informed group was comprised of 20 men and 5 women; the written informed group was comprised of 21 men and 5 women. The audiovisual informed group remembered significantly more information than the control group about a potential allergic reaction to local anesthesia or medication and potential trismus (P < .05). The audiovisual informed group had lower self-reported anxiety scores than the control group 1week after surgery (P< .05). These results suggested that informing patients of the treatment with an audiovisual slide presentation could improve patient knowledge about postoperative complications and aid in alleviating anxiety after the surgical removal of an impacted mandibular third molar.

Cannabis Use and Social Anxiety in Adolescence: The Role of Facilitation Expectancies

Cannabis use is frequently related to social anxiety in young adulthood, but the nature of this relationship is unclear. Moreover, much research has been conducted on the role of cannabis effects expectancies and their relationship to social anxiety among young adults, but less is known about adolescence. The study examined the relationship between social anxiety, cannabis use patterns, and cannabis effects expectancies among a nonclinical sample of 1,305 adolescents (51% female). Non-users reported higher social anxiety scores than non-problematic and risky users. Compared to users, non-users had more negative expectancies. Risky and problematic users showed higher social and sexual facilitation expectancies and perceptual and cognitive enhancement expectancies. In addition, social anxiety was related to global negative expectancies and social and sexual facilitation expectancies. Moreover, we found that among socially anxious adolescents, social and sexual facilitation expectancies are dissuasive reasons to use cannabis. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.

The Relation Between Moment-to-Moment Mindful Attention and Anxiety Among Young Adults in Substance Use Treatment

ABSTRACTBackground: A growing body of research has examined the intersection of mindfulness and substance use, and a large body of research has examined the relation between mindfulness and anxiety. Unfortunately, no research has been conducted on the relation between mindfulness and anxiety symptoms among young adults (i.e., 18–25 years old) in treatment for substance use. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relation between one facet of mindfulness, moment-to-moment attention, and anxiety (panic and generalized anxiety) among young adults in treatment for substance use. Methods: Preexisting patient records from a residential substance use treatment center for young adults were reviewed (N = 148). Patient records were examined from May 2012 to August 2013, which represented all young adult patients admitted to the residential treatment facility during this time. Results: Findings demonstrated that moment-to-moment mindful attention was associated with symptoms of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder even after controlling for gender, age, education, alcohol use, drug use, and the shared variance in generalized and panic symptoms. There were no gender differences in moment-to-moment mindful attention. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that moment-to-moment mindful attention is associated with panic and generalized anxiety in young adults in substance use treatment. Combined with previous research on mindfulness-based interventions among adults in substance use treatment, research should examine the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for young adults in substance use treatment.

Parenting Behaviors and Anxiety in Young Adults

Parenting behaviors – specifically behaviors characterized by high control, intrusiveness, rejection, and overprotection – and effortful control have each been implicated in the development of anxiety pathology. However, little research has examined the protective role of effortful control in the relation between parenting and anxiety symptoms, specifically among adults. Thus, we sought to explore the unique and interactive effects of parenting and effortful control on anxiety among adults (N = 162). Results suggest that effortful control uniquely contributes to anxiety symptoms above and beyond that of any parenting behavior. Furthermore, effortful control acted as a moderator of the relationship between parental overprotection and anxiety, such that overprotection is associated with anxiety only in individuals with lower levels of effortful control. Implications for potential prevention and intervention efforts which specifically target effortful control are discussed. These findings underscore the importance of considering individual differences in self-regulatory abilities when examining associations between putative early-life risk factors, such as parenting, and anxiety symptoms.

Sex Differences In Autonomic Function Exist Following Tai Chi Chuan Training In Young Adults With High Anxiety

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the index of the autonomic rate of change of the heart rate in response to stimuli. Sex differences exist between anxiety levels with women exhibiting higher anxiety in a college aged population. Tai chi chuan (TCC) is a mind-body exercise that has been recognized as an inherently complex intervention with multiple components yet synergistic therapeutic values focused on deep relaxation offering cardioprotection. Used as an integrative treatment, TCC has the potential to improve HRV. Even though TCC has the potential to decrease anxiety and add a cardiovascular benefit, no controlled studies exist evaluating a population of highly anxious individuals. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of TCC on HRV in young adults with high anxiety. We hypothesized TCC would lead to greater improvements (increased total power, (TP) and decreased low frequency, (LF)) in females (F) than their male (M) counterparts. METHODS: 52 anxious young adults ( (35 M vs 17 F, age 21 +/− 1.1 years) were randomized into 10 weeks of TCC or control group (C). HRV was assessed via heads-up tilt (10 rest, 10 tilt) with a 3-lead ECG in a pre-post design. rmANOVA were used to determine main effects of TCC on HRV by group. RESULTS: Significant main effects were found for TP (P=0.005, 1692 to 1951% F vs. 7755 to 9223% M) and M decreased resting HR while women showed increases (85 to 81 vs. 69 to 71 bpm respectively) Also, M showed greater parasympathetic dominance while F decreased following TCC training ( F, 275 to 240 vs M 1746 to 2317 m/s2 respectively). CONCLUSION: Contrary to our a priori hypotheses, men derive greater autonomic benefit from TCC training than age-matched women.

620 Nausea Complicating Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Childhood Predicts Functional GI Disorders, Disability, Depression and Anxiety in Young Adulthood: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study

620 Nausea Complicating Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Childhood Predicts Functional GI Disorders, Disability, Depression and Anxiety in Young Adulthood: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study

Associations between young adult romantic relationship quality and problem behaviors: An examination of personality–environment interactions

This longitudinal study examined person–environment interplay by testing interaction effects between adolescent personality type (i.e., overcontrollers, undercontrollers, and resilients) and young adult romantic relationship quality on young adult delinquency and anxiety. The study employed six waves of longitudinal questionnaire data collected across 10years from Dutch youths. Results showed that support from romantic partner was related to a relatively stronger decrease in anxiety in young adulthood for overcontrollers than for resilients. Moreover, higher negative interaction with romantic partner was related to a relative increase in delinquent behaviors for undercontrollers, while no such links emerged for overcontrollers and resilients. This study highlights the importance of considering the interplay between personality characteristics and environmental–relational factors when examining young adults’ developmental outcomes.

Sex Differences in Sleep Architecture in Anxious Young Adults Following Tai Chi Chaun Training

Individuals with poor sleep quality are more likely to develop an array of disorders spanning from physiological (sleep and cardiovascular) disorders to psychological disorders such as anxiety. Females present with higher incidences of anxiety through college-age years. Tai chi chuan (TCC) is a meditative exercise that has been shown to decrease blood pressure as well as improve anxiety status. However, no well controlled studies have investigated the effects of TCC on sleep architecture to improve anxiety status. Therefore, the PURPOSE of our study was to investigate the effects of TCC and sex differences on sleep quality in young adults with high anxiety. METHODS: 39 (29T vs 10C, age 21 +/- 2 years) anxious young adults were randomized into 12 weeks of TCC or control group (C, educational materials). Sleep was assessed via Zeo™ EEG bedside monitors in a pre-post intervention design. rmANOVA was used to determine main effects of TCC on deep sleep, light sleep, REM sleep and total sleep (DS, LS, REM and TS respectively). RESULTS: Significant main effects were found within males and females in REM (M 103.92 to 79.58 vs. F 111.08-82.62 min, p=0.01), LS (230.50 to 174.69 vs. 207.38 to 161.69 min, p=0.005), and TS (408.38 to 323.77 vs. 385.08 to 295.92 min, P=0.005). An insignificant difference was found in DS between females and males (72.81 to 61.81 vs. 66.62 to 51.38 min, p=0.064). CONCLUSION: Both sexes showed decreases in sleep over the course of the study. While men lost TS and did not lose as much DS, females reduced REM sleep yet had greater LS than their male counterparts. These data suggest that TCC alters sleep architecture differently between sexes.

Анксиозност поврзана со смртта кај млади возрасни: полови разлики и емоционални корелати

Death anxiety is defined as an emotional response to awareness of death, including fear of personal mortality, which is not caused by an imminent threat to life. Numerous empirical findings suggest that the period of early adulthood is marked by a higtened fear or anxiety associated with death and dying, and that this type of anxiety is usually more prominent in females. According to the Terror Management Theory, adult attachment represents a distant defense from mortality salience and the transience of life. The study presented in this paper was conducted in order to examine sex differences in death anxiety in young adults, to analyze the relationship between death anxiety and certain emotional correlates (aging anxiety, empathy and adult attachment),as well as to assess the contribution of each emotional correlate in the prediction of death anxiety. The participants in the study were 435 undergraduate students from two universities in Macedonia. The data was gathered with Templer/McMordie Death Anxiety Scale, Anxiety about Aging Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index and Adult Attachment Scale. The assessment of sex differences showed that females feel significantly more anxious and fearful than males when thinking about death. Nearly all tested correlates were significantly associated with anxiety as a response to awareness of death, but the highest correlation exists between death anxiety and aging anxiety, personal distress and emphatic concern as affective components of empathy, and anxious attachment.The first three correlates are significant predictors of death anxiety, that explain over a third in its variance. The findings are aligned with developmental aspects of death anxiety and terror management theory. Keywords: death anxiety, aging anxiety, empathy, adult attachment, terror management theory

Associations between Perceived Parental Overprotection, Experiential Avoidance, and Anxiety

There has recently been increased attention focused on understanding the mechanisms through which parenting practices relate to anxiety in adulthood. Theoretical and empirical literature suggests that emotion regulation difficulties, particularly the use of avoidant regulation strategies, may be one such mechanism. Thus, this cross-sectional study investigated the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relation between perceived parental overprotection and anxiety in young adulthood. A sample of 382 undergraduates completed questionnaires assessing the constructs of interest. Results indicate that perceived parental overprotection was significantly uniquely associated with anxiety symptom severity. Furthermore, results provide support for a model in which experiential avoidance mediates the association between perceived parental overprotection and anxiety. Findings of the present study highlight one potential mechanism underlying the association between early caregiving experiences and anxiety in young adulthood, suggesting that efforts to avoid internal experiences may play a role in the pathogenesis of anxiety. Findings are interpreted and discussed in the context of study limitations.

Early stress evokes temporally distinct consequences on the hippocampal transcriptome, anxiety and cognitive behaviour

The early stress of maternal separation (ES) exerts long-lasting effects on cognition and anxiety. Recent evidence indicates enhanced hippocampus-dependent spatial learning in young adult ES animals, which shifts towards a decline in long-term memory in middle-aged life. Further, we find that ES animals exhibit enhanced anxiety in young adulthood that does not persist into middle-aged life. Here, we demonstrate unique, predominantly non-overlapping, hippocampal transcriptomes in young adult and middle-aged ES animals that accompany the temporally-specific behavioural consequences. Strikingly, the extent of gene dysregulation in middle-aged ES animals was substantially higher than in young adulthood. Functional analysis revealed distinct biological processes enriched at the two ages, highlighting the temporal shift in ES-evoked gene regulation. Our results suggest that ES history interacts with aging to exacerbate age-associated transcriptional changes and cognitive decline. qPCR profiling of histone deacetylases (Hdacs) and histone methyltransferases (HMTs) revealed an age-dependent, opposing regulation with decreased expression noted in young adult ES animals (Hdac 2, 7, 8, 9 and Suv39h1) and enhanced levels in middle-aged life (Hdac 2, 6, 8 and Suv39h1). While altered expression of histone modifying enzymes did not translate into global histone acetylation or methylation changes, we noted differential enrichment of histone acetylation and methylation modifications at the promoters of multiple genes regulated in the hippocampi of young adult and middle-aged ES animals. Our results highlight the differential molecular and behavioural consequences of ES across a life-span, and suggest a possible role for epigenetic mechanisms in contributing to the temporally-specific transcriptional changes following ES.

Associations Among Aspects of Meaning in Life and Death Anxiety in Young Adults

This investigation explored the relationship between two aspects of meaning in life, presence of meaning in life and search for meaning in life, and the fear of death and dying in young adults. A community sample of participants (N=168) completed measures of meaning in life and death anxiety. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed using the search for meaning and presence of meaning as independent variables and fear of death and dying as dependent variables. Results indicated that only the search for meaning in life was significantly associated with fear of dying and death in young adults.

Metacognitive differences between elderly and adult outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder

PurposeThe metacognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder in young adults involves positive beliefs about worrying and negative beliefs concerning the uncontrollability and the dangers of worrying. Many older adults are believed to have a decline and less control over their memory. Thus, metamemory should be another cause in elder patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The aim of the study was to investigate the metacognitive constructs of elder patients with generalized anxiety disorder. MethodThirty-three elder patients and 38 young adults with generalized anxiety disorder and 37 healthy elder individuals from Turkey enrolled in the study. All participants were asked to fill out the Meta-cognitions questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Anxiety Inventory (BAI). ResultsThe mean anxiety score in young patients was significantly higher than both elder patient and healthy groups (P<0.0001, for both). The total MCQ-30 score was significantly high in elder patients than healthy controls (P=0.002) while it was insignificant between elder and young patients (P=0.976). The mean negative belief sub score was significantly higher in elder patients than healthy elder controls (P<0.0001). Cognitive confidence was significantly higher in elder patients than elder controls (P=0.024). ConclusionFor the first time we compared metacognitive differences between older patients with generalized anxiety and healthy elders. Impairments in two domains, that were different from metacognitive model of anxiety in young adults, as cognitive confidence and need to control of thoughts, seem to contribute in the development of anxiety that may be attributed as a result of aging.

Separating the Domains of Oppositional Behavior: Comparing Latent Models of the Conners’ Oppositional Subscale

Although oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is usually considered the mildest of the disruptive behavior disorders, it is a key factor in predicting young adult anxiety and depression and is distinguishable from normal childhood behavior. In an effort to understand possible subsets of oppositional defiant behavior (ODB) that may differentially predict outcome, we used latent class analysis of mother report on the Conners' Parent Rating Scales Revised Short Forms (CPRS-R:S). Data were obtained from mother report for Dutch twins (7 years old, n = 7,597; 10 years old, n = 6,548; and 12 years old, n = 5,717) from the Netherlands Twin Registry. Samples partially overlapped at ages 7 and 10 years (19% overlapping) and at ages 10 and 12 years (30% overlapping), but not at ages 7 and 12 years. Oppositional defiant behavior was measured using the six-item Oppositional subscale of the CPRS-R:S. Multilevel LCA with robust standard error estimates was performed using the Latent Gold program to control for twin-twin dependence in the data. Class assignment across ages was determined and an estimate of heritability for each class was calculated. Comparisons with maternal report Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores were examined using linear mixed models at each age, corrected for multiple comparisons. The LCA identified an optimal solution of four classes across age groups. Class 1 was associated with no or low symptom endorsement (69-75% of the children); class 2 was characterized by defiance (11-12%); class 3 was characterized by irritability (9-11%); and class 4 was associated with elevated scores on all symptoms (5-8%). Odds ratios for twins being in the same class at each successive age point were higher within classes across ages than between classes. Heritability within the two "intermediate" classes was nearly as high as for the class with all symptoms, except for boys at age 12. Children in the Irritable class were more likely to have mood symptoms on the CBCL scales than children in the Defiant class but demonstrated similar scores on aggression and externalizing scales. Children in the All Symptoms class were higher in both internalizing and externalizing scales and subscales. The LCA indicates four distinct latent classes of oppositional defiant behavior, in which the distinguishing feature between the two intermediate classes (classes 2 and 3) is the level of irritability and defiance. Implications for the longitudinal course of these symptoms, association with other disorders, and genetics are discussed.

A Comparative Study between Relaxation Technique versus 12 Moves of Yoga on Anxiety in Young Adults - A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Anxiety is increasingly seen in population of young adults affecting their performance in day to day life. Although studies have shown individual effect of relaxation and yoga on anxiety, in this study this two methods are being used and the effect of the same was compared due to the limited literature on the comparison. Objective: To compare the effect of relaxation exercise and the 12 moves of yoga on anxiety in young adult students. Background: Earlier studies have described the effect of exercise traning and yoga intervention on anxiey.There is lack of study comparing the effect of both interventions on anxiety in young adults. Methods: Sample size of 30 young adults who were having anxiety according to the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and who satisfied the inclusion criteria was taken and divided into two groups. Group A which included 15 participants were given relaxation exercise (Ost's method) and Group B consisting of 15 participants were given the 12 moves of yoga. The interventions were given for seven days to both the groups and were assessed pre and post intervention using Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the difference was noted. Results: The results of this study were analysed in terms of age, gender and Hamilton anxiety rating scale. Pre and post statistical analysis was done within and between the two groups. Conclusion: Relaxation technique (Ost's method) and the 12 moves of yoga both were found to be equally effective in reducing anxiety in young adults.