Anxiety disorders in adolescents and psychosocial outcomes at age 30

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders 2014-07, Vol.163, p.125-132
• Main Authors: Essau, Cecilia A, Lewinsohn, Peter M, Olaya, Beatriz, Seeley, John R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adolescent anxiety; Adolescents; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcoholism - psychology; Anxiety; Anxiety disorders; Anxiety Disorders - complications; Anxiety Disorders - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Childhood; Course of anxiety disorders; Family Relations; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical sciences; Mood disorders; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychosocial factors; Psychosocial functioning; Psychosocial impairment; Social Adjustment; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.12.033

Abstract Background Anxiety disorders are associated with adverse psychosocial functioning, and are predictive of a wide range of psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Objective The present study examined the associations between anxiety disorders during childhood and adolescence and psychosocial outcomes at age 30, and sought to address the extent to which psychopathology after age 19 mediated these relations. Method Eight hundred and sixteen participants from a large community sample were interviewed twice during adolescence, at age 24, and at age 30. They completed self-report measures of psychosocial functioning and semi-structured diagnostic interviews during adolescence and young adulthood. Results Adolescent anxiety predicted poor total adjustment, poor adjustment at work, poor family relationships, problems with the family unit, less life satisfaction, poor coping skills, and more chronic stress. Adolescent anxiety predicted, substance (SUD), alcohol abuse/dependence (AUD), and anxiety in adulthood. No adult psychopathology mediated the relationship between childhood anxiety disorders and psychosocial outcomes at age 30. Adult, SUD, AUD and anxiety mediated the association between adolescent anxiety and most domains of psychosocial functioning at age 30. Limitations The participants are ethically and geographically homogenous, and changes in the diagnostic criteria and the interview schedules across the assessment periods. Conclusion Adolescent anxiety, compared to childhood anxiety, is associated with more adverse psychosocial outcomes at age 30. Adolescent anxiety affects negative outcomes at age 30 directly and through adult anxiety, SUD and AUD.