The risk and protective factors in the development of childhood social anxiety symptoms among Chinese children.
The aim of this study was to explore the change and associated risk and protective factors of social anxiety symptoms among Chinese children. A 2-year longitudinal study was performed in a general primary and secondary school population in Anhui Province, China including 816 children in grades 3, 4, and 7. Children's social anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Social Anxiety Scales for Children (SASC) at three assessments. The overall prevalence of children's elevated social anxiety symptoms ranged from 15.2% to 16.4% across three assessments. Children's overall mean SASC scores were 5.6 (SD =3.7), 5.3 (SD =3.8), and 5.3 (SD =4.1) at three assessments, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, children's social anxiety symptom levels and change among different subgroups was not stable across 2-year follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that age, severe family dysfunction, quality of life, positive coping, negative coping, depressive symptoms and self-esteem were predictive factors for childhood elevated social anxiety symptoms. The findings suggested that the overall social anxiety symptoms showed a relatively stable pattern over time. The identified risk and protective factors may provide scientific evidence for school, family, and health authorities to conduct necessary intervention.
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei 230601, China.
Yi-Le
YL
Wu
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
Xue
X
Zhao
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
Yi-Feng
YF
Li
Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
Xiu-Xiu
XX
Ding
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
Hui-Yun
HY
Yang
Discipline of Public Health, the University of Adelaide, Australia.
Peng
P
Bi
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China. Electronic address: yhsun_ahmu_edu@yeah.net.
Ye-Huan
YH
Sun
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D000072861:Phobia, Social / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D065840:Protective Factors; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*
Childhood anxiety; Depression; Left-behind children; Longitudinal study; Social anxiety