Work

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in youth: diagnostic considerations

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in youth is characterized by excessive worry across domains for ≥ 6 months, an inability to stop worrying, and at least one physiological symptom. This study examined the multiple domains that optimally distinguish (1) GAD youth from nonanxiety-disordered youth and (2) GAD youth from other anxiety-disordered youth. METHODS: Receiver operating characteristic analyses examined a sample of youth (N=180) aged 7-13 (M=10.10; 52% male), to determine optimal cut scores to distinguish GAD youth from (1) nonanxiety-disordered youth and (2) other anxiety-disordered youth. The diagnostic efficiency of worries and physiological symptoms was also examined. RESULTS: By parent report, three worries and four physiological symptoms had favorable cut scores, and several specific worries possessed high diagnostic efficiency. Children endorsed fewer GAD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations are made regarding the criteria for GAD in youth and interview sequencing of symptom queries.

Source: Depression and Anxiety

DOI: 10.1002/da.20747

Authors: Courtney L. Benjamin, Rinad S. Beidas, Jonathan S. Comer, Anthony C. Puliafico, Philip C. Kendall

Institutions: Temple University, Columbia University

Language: English

Topic: Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health