[Anxiety in adolescents of a Madrid neighbourhood].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the degree of state-trait anxiety in adolescents and its possible association with several socio-demographic variables.


METHODS
Descriptive cross-sectional study.


METHODS
First semester of 2004. Two state secondary schools in Area 7, Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
Five hundred fifty nine students from the first to third years of secondary education.


METHODS
Two anonymous multiple-choice tests were given out to fill in during class time: STAIC (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children) and a questionnaire of socio-demographic variables (age, sex, immigration, toxic habits, socio-economic and family situation, relationships, view of life, and school results).


RESULTS
Four hundred forty five tests were valid. Mean age, 13.8 (SD, 1.2); 53.5% were girls, 18.7% immigrants, 20.7% took drugs (alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs), 32.8% had repeated at least 1 year, 14.3% considered their relationship with their family "bad," 15% referred to a "bad" relation with their class mates and 29.5% had a "bad" view of life. A statistically significant association was established between all these variables and anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to know what risk factors are associated with anxiety in order to detect it early and prevent its development to other serious mental disorders. In this study, higher levels of anxiety were found in immigrants, in girls, in drug users, in students in a worse socio-economic situation and in students who have had to repeat a year. This study corroborates the classic risk factors associated with anxiety, but shows that we should take into account a further one: immigration. It also suggests the importance of good family and personal relationships for psychological balance.
García de la Rasilla Cooper
Cristina
C
C S General Farijul, Atención Primaria. Area 7 de Salud, Madrid, España. cristinarasilla@yahoo.es
Hijano Baonza
Adela
A
Carreño Freire
Pilar
P
Martín Bun
Margarita
M
Gisbert Rodríguez
Jorge
J
Peña Rodríguez
Enriqueta
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population