Age Comparisons in the Prevalence and Severity of Anxiety Disorders Among Children and Adolescents from Nairobi, Kenya
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Clinical Psychology
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to compare age differences in the prevalence and severity of
anxiety disorders among 163 children and adolescents (8-16 years) drawn from Kabiria and
Kawangware primary schools, in Dagoretti Constituency, Nairobi County Kenya. Data on
prevalence and severity of anxiety disorders was collected using the Screen for Child Anxiety
Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)-Child version. Quantitative data analysis using the
statistical package for social sciences version 20 revealed presence of anxiety disorders (M ≥ 25)
for most respondents (M8-16 years= 33.67, 79.1%). The severity and prevalence of anxiety
disorders per age group were M 8-10 years=37.36, 83.3%; M 11-13 years=35.80, 87.7% and M 14-16 years
= 30.58, 72.5%. The analysis of variance revealed statistically significant age differences in
severity of the ADs between the 8-10 and 14-16 year old (p=0.005) and the 11-13 and 14-16 year
old (p=0.024) but not the 8-10 and 11-13 year old (p=0.570). Among the 8-10 year old,
separation anxiety (83.3%) and panic disorder (81%) were the most prevalent pointing to high
comorbidity rates that start early. Social anxiety (M=8.28) and generalized anxiety (M=7.68)
were more severe for the 11-13 year old. Overall, the results indicated early age of onset of ADs
with severity moderated by increased age, but also a waxing and waning course across the
lifespan. Findings thus highlighted the importance of early intervention to curb chronicity.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Age differences, Anxiety disorders, Children, Adolescents, Assessment
Citation
Muchiri,J. W., Bowen,M & James,N, Age Comparisons in the Prevalence and Severity of Anxiety Disorders Among Children and Adolescents from Nairobi, Kenya, African Journal of Clinical Psychology