Effects of psychosocial and socio‐environmental factors on anxiety disorder among adolescents in Bangladesh

• Published in: Brain and behavior 2020-12, Vol.10 (12), p.e01899-n/a
• Main Authors: Khan, Md. Mostaured Ali, Khan, Md. Nuruzzaman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescents; Adverse childhood experiences; adverse childhood experiences (ACE); Alcohol use; anxiety disorder; Anxiety disorders; Bangladesh; Bullying; Drug use; Fear & phobias; Gender; Mental disorders; Original Research; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Social networks; Suicides & suicide attempts; Teenagers; Variables; Victimization
• ISSN: 2162-3279; 2162-3279
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1899

Background Anxiety is a common psychiatric disorder among adolescents in developing countries. This study aimed to examine the risk factors of anxiety disorder and the adverse consequences of anxiety disorder among adolescents in Bangladesh. Methods A total of 2,989 adolescent data of the 2014 Global School‐based Student Health Survey (GSHS), Bangladesh, was analyzed WHO. The prevalence of anxiety disorder across psychosocial and socio‐environmental factors was calculated as descriptive statistics, whereas their effects on occurring anxiety disorder were determined using the unadjusted and adjusted multivariable binary logistic regression model. The consequences of anxiety disorder were also determined using the multivariable binary logistic regression model. Results The prevalence of anxiety disorder was 4.7%, which was found higher among female than their male counterparts. The psychosocial factors were found associated with the anxiety disorder are loneliness (AOR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.08–4.72), being bullied (AOR: 6.00, 95% CI: 3.14–11.47), and physical abuse (AOR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.07–4.21). Moreover, poor understandings with parents (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.02–3.01) and lack of peer support (AOR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.18–4.23) were the socio‐environmental factors that found associated with the anxiety disorder. Subgroup analysis across gender found these associations were consistent for adolescent male and female. Moreover, the likelihood increased with the increasing number of the adverse psychosocial, or socio‐environmental factors. Conclusions Around 5% of school‐going adolescents in Bangladesh reported anxiety associated with the exposure of single or multiple adverse psychosocial and socio‐environmental factors including bullying and physical abuse. Early screening and interventions are essential, targeted to adolescent at risk, which could reduce the rate of anxiety disorder among adolescent in Bangladesh. The current study reported around 5% of anxiety disorder among adolescent in Bangladesh and it significantly increases the tendencies of adolescent’s suicidal behaviour (ideation, plans and attempts) and alcohol and drug abuse tendencies. Several single and multiple adverse psychosocial and socio‐environmental experiences are accelerating the risk.