Factors Affecting Anxiety Level in Adolescents Presenting to Emergency Department

Abstract

Introduction:To determine the relationship between stress factors, and presence and level of anxiety among pediatric emergency department patients aged 10-18 years.Methods:The study group consisted of adolescents aged 10-18 years without any chronic or psychiatric disease who were admitted to the pediatric emergency department. A questionnaire evaluating predisposing factors, such as loss of a family member and divorce or separation of parents, fear of needles, fear of getting blood drawn and seeing blood, and fear of being undressed, as well as the screen for child anxiety (SFCA) and related disorders, state-trait anxiety inventory and brief symptom inventory were administered in all subjects.Results:The mean age of the participants was 13.3±2.4 and 57% (n=73) were female. Among the eight stress factors identified, the highest rated ones were having no close friends and changing school in the last 6 months (17.2%). The most common predisposing factor was fear of pain in 53%. The mean SFCA score was 29.5±12.1. The mean state-trait anxiety inventory-I and II scores were 42.8±7.0 and 44.9±6.4, respectively. The mean total brief symptom inventory score was 37.6±34.6.Conclusion:Emergency department admission may cause fear and anxiety among young patients aged 10-18 years. Emergency department workers should develop behavioral interventions to reduce anxiety among this group of patients.

Keywords

• Adolescent
• anxiety
• stressors
• emergency department