Prevalence and some psychosocial characteristics of social anxiety disorder in an urban population of Turkish children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: To define the prevalence and some of the psychosocial characteristics of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in an urban population of Turkish children and adolescents.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

This was a two-stage cross-sectional urban-based study conducted in Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. The initial sample included 1,482 students between the 4th and 8th grades. The first stage involved screening using the Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R) and the Capa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents (CSPSCA). According to the test results, 324 children were interviewed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) in the second stage.

RESULTS

The SAD prevalence rate was 3.9%. According to the multiple regression analysis, low paternal education and trait anxiety were associated with SASC-R scores, whereas female gender and trait anxiety were associated with CSPSCA scores. According to logistic regression analysis, the anxiety subscale of the self-concept scale and trait anxiety were associated with SAD.

CONCLUSION

SAD is a relatively common disorder that is associated with lower self-concept in children and adolescents. Low paternal education, trait anxiety, and low self-concept may be the intervention targets for SAD prevention and treatment.