title: Self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms in school-aged Singaporean children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have examined anxiety and depression experiences of primary (middle) school-aged children from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and most have relied on parents or others as informants. The present study aimed to investigate self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms in Singaporean primary school-aged children. Age, gender, and ethnic differences and interactions were explored as well as similarities and differences between Singaporean children and US norms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large representative community sample of 1655 8- to 12-year-old Singaporean children (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) as part of a larger epidemiological study of mental health in Singaporean children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rates of clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression were 9.3% and 16.9% on the MASC and the CDI, respectively. Separation and social anxieties were most common. Evidence of a gender difference in levels of emotional symptoms was most evident in Indian children, with girls reporting more symptoms than boys. The relationship between age and internalizing problems was weak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial minority of primary school-aged Singaporean children reported elevated anxious and depressive symptoms. Better understanding of the factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of these problems can help the development of culture-specific interventions and facilitate the planning of community-tailored services and initiatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Iliana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Magiati
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ponniah
authors.forename: Yoon Phaik
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Yiong Huak
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Bernardine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012846:Singapore
keywords: anxiety; children; depression; ethnicity; self-report