An Exploratory Study to Assess the Prevalence of Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders among Adolescents of Selected Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana

“There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it” (43 BC)

A study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anxiety and anxiety disorders among adolescents of a selected senior secondary school, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. A self structured questionnaire was prepared to assess the prevalence of anxiety and anxiety disorders on the basis of literature review and expert opinion. To assess anxiety disorders a standardized tool-Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorder (SCARED) developed by Boris Birmahar (1999)was used. The items of tool were formulated to diagnose anxiety disorders - Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and School Avoidance among adolescents. Before data collection a formal permission was taken from school and verbal consent was taken from adolescents for participation in the study. Pilot study was done on ten adolescents to ensure reliability of the tool and feasibility of study. For final study Stratified random sampling (lottery without replacement) was used to collect a sample of 201 adolescents. The purpose of study was explained to them and confidentiality was assured. The data gathered were analyzed by calculating mean, mean percentage, SD and ‘z’ test.