Burden of Anxiety Among School-Going Adolescents in Urban Bhopal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by physical, emotional, and psychological changes, making individuals vulnerable to mental health challenges, particularly anxiety. Anxiety during adolescence can significantly impact daily functioning, school performance, and relationships. In India, the prevalence of anxiety among adolescents is rising, exacerbated by academic pressures, social expectations, and limited mental health services. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety among school-going adolescents in Bhopal and to identify the associated factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2019 to May 2021 among 1,500 adolescents aged 14-19 years who attended secondary and higher secondary schools in urban Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Multistage cluster sampling was used, and data were collected using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42), with a focus on the anxiety subscale. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, were conducted to determine associations between anxiety levels and various demographic and socioeconomic factors using R software version 4.1.0 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria, https://www.R-project.org/).

RESULTS

The study found that 749 (53%) of adolescents experienced some level of anxiety. Among them, 150 (10.6%) had mild anxiety, 304 (21.5%) had moderate anxiety, 195 (13.8%) had severe anxiety, and 100 (7.1%) had extremely severe anxiety. No significant associations were found between anxiety and factors such as age, gender, or screen time. However, a statistically significant association was observed with the father's occupation, where adolescents whose fathers were engaged in government or private services exhibited higher levels of anxiety (p = 0.007). Regression analysis revealed that gender, frequency of outdoor activities, and father's education level were not significantly associated with anxiety. However, paternal occupation showed significant effects, with participants whose fathers were in jobs other than business having lower odds of anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety is highly prevalent among school-going adolescents in Bhopal, with the father's occupation being a significant determinant. Early identification and interventions involving both parents and teachers are crucial to addressing anxiety in adolescents. Schools should promote emotional well-being by establishing support systems and fostering open discussions about mental health.