ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE ONSET OF ANXIETY DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Abstract:
Anxiety disorders represent one of the most prevalent types of psychopathology in children
and adolescents and often produce substantial impairments in the academic, social, and family
functioning. It is assumed that anxiety emerges from a complex interaction between the specific
characteristics of the child and his environment. The purpose of the study is to identify the risk factors
involved in the etiopathogenesis of anxiety disorders in children aged 12 to 17 years old. The study is
analytical, case - control, observational, retrospective and included 80 children diagnosed with an
anxiety disorder and 66 children diagnosed with conduct disorder. The results revealed a statistically
significant correlation between negative life events (death of a parent, divorce of parents, school
stress, emotional and physical abuse), female gender and the presence of anxiety disorders. Besides
identifying the risk factors that may increase the odds of developing an anxiety disorder, it is
important to clarify the interaction between these factors and their role in the onset of anxious type
psychopathology.
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