Association Between ADHD Symptoms and Anxiety Symptoms in Taiwanese Adolescents. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Tai-Ling; Yang, Pinchen; Ko, Chih-Hung; Yen, Ju-Yu; Yen, Cheng-Fang
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 18:Number 5(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 455
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: adolescent -- anxiety -- ADHD; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054712439936
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this cross-sectional study were to examine the association between significant ADHD symptoms and the four domains of anxiety symptoms on the Taiwanese version of Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC-T) and to examine the moderating effects of sociodemographic characteristics on this association among Taiwanese adolescents in the community.Method: A total of 4, 716 adolescents in Grades 7 through 12 in southern Taiwan completed the MASC-T, the ADHD Self-Rated Scale, the Mandarin Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine both the association of significant ADHD symptoms with four domains of anxiety symptoms on the MASC-T and the moderating effects of sociodemographic characteristics on this association.Results: The adolescents with significant ADHD symptoms had more severe total anxiety symptoms, physical symptoms, social anxiety symptoms, and separation/panic symptoms for three domains of the MASC-T but less harm avoidance than did those without significant ADHD symptoms. Age, gender, and low self-esteem had moderating effects on the association between significant ADHD symptoms and anxiety symptoms for some domains of the MASC-T.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest a significant association between significant ADHD symptoms and the severity of anxiety symptoms in adolescents. Clinicians must evaluate anxiety symptoms among adolescents with ADHD and arrange comprehensive treatment programs.