title: Specific phobia predicts psychopathology in young women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although specific phobia is characterized by an early age at onset and by high rates of comorbidity, few studies have examined comorbid relationships prospectively.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated the association between specific phobia and the risk of a broad range of psychopathology among young women in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from the Dresden Predictor Study in which 1,538 German women (18-25 years) completed a diagnostic interview at two time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with specific phobia had a twofold increase in odds of developing any anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and any somatoform disorder during 17 months, compared to women without specific phobia. Except for depression, these associations persisted after adjustment for all comorbid mental disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific phobia thus appears to be a risk factor for a variety of problems. The result further underpins the necessity for early intervention for specific phobia to prevent later mental health problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 60/62, 4055 Basel, Switzerland. julia.trumpf@unibas.ch
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trumpf
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Margraf
authors.forename: Noortje
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vriends
authors.forename: Andrea H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Eni S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors