This study systematically reviewed the literature on perceived school safety. We investigated the prevalence, factors and associated mental health difficulties, as well as cross-cultural findings. Five databases were searched up to 9 February 2021 for peer-reviewed papers published in English. We included quantitative studies that explored the perception of school safety among children and adolescents. The reference lists of the selected papers were also searched. We conducted a narrative synthesis of the included studies. The review included 43 papers. The mean prevalence of the students who felt unsafe at school was 19.4% and ranged from 6.1% to 69.1%. Their perceived safety was associated with a wide range of personal, school, and social factors. Not feeling safe at school was related to being victimized and mental health difficulties, including depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior. Higher perceived school safety was associated with measures such as the presence of a security officer and fair school rule enforcement. The results showed the lack of cross-cultural studies on perceived school safety. Empirical studies are needed that examine the mechanisms of school safety, using valid measures. A clear definition of school safety should be considered a key aspect of future studies.

No abstract

Background There has been a lack of research about the time trends and socio-demographic risk factors for children and adolescents who receive treatment for anxiety disorders. This study aimed to fill these gaps in our knowledge by examining a nationwide sample of Finnish children and adolescents diagnosed in specialized healthcare settings. Methods This study comprised national register data of all singleton children born in Finland from 1992–2006 who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders from 1998–2012. The changes in time trends in incidence were studied by dividing the study sample into three cohorts by birth years: 1992–1996, 1997–2001 and 2002–2006, who were followed up until the age of 20, 15 and 10 years, respectively. The 22,388 individuals with anxiety disorders were age and gender matched with 76,139 controls from the general population. Logistic regression was used to examine the socio-demographic risk factors and anxiety disorders in the entire sample. Comorbid disorders were examined in the oldest birth cohort (1992–1996 born). Results Comparing the 1992–1996 and 2002–2006 cohorts showed that the cumulative incidence of treated anxiety disorders at the age of 10 increased from 0.3 to 1.2% among females and 0.46 to 1.9% among males. Subjects had higher likelihood for being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder if their mothers had low maternal socio-economic status class at birth (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.45–1.61) compared to higher SES class, and marital status was single at the time of birth (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.87–2.17) compared to married or in a relationship. They had lower risk of anxiety disorders diagnosis if born in rural (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.79–0.86) or semi-urban areas (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.76–0.82) when compared to urban residence. There was a wide range of psychiatric comorbidities, and unipolar depression was the most common (31.2%). Conclusion Anxiety disorders diagnosed by specialized Finnish services increased from 1998–2012 in both genders. This could indicate a real increase in overall anxiety disorders or an increase in treatment seeking. The findings on maternal socioeconomic status and single parenting improve the recognition of the environmental risk factors for anxiety disorders among children and adolescents.

Aim We examined the associations between preterm birth, poor foetal growth and anxiety disorders among children and adolescents. Additionally, we examined the impact of common comorbidities and specific anxiety disorders separately. Methods Three Finnish registers provided data on a nationwide birth cohort of 22,181 cases with anxiety disorders and 74,726 controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the associations. Results Extremely very preterm birth and moderate‐late preterm birth were associated with increased adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for anxiety disorders (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11–1.75 and aOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.23, respectively). Weight for gestational age of less than −2SD (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.17–1.42) and −2SD to −1SD (aOR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03–1.14) were associated with increased odds ratios for anxiety disorders. When comorbidities were considered, the associations became statistically insignificant for pure anxiety disorders, but remained significant in the groups with comorbid depressive or neurodevelopmental disorders. Conclusion Preterm birth and poor foetal growth increased the odds for anxiety disorders. However, the associations seem to be explained by the conditions of comorbid depressive and neurodevelopmental disorders. Comorbidities should be considered when examining and treating child and adolescent anxiety disorders.

Introduction Anxiety disorders (ADs) are common in childhood and adolescence and global estimates suggest they affect 6.5% of individuals under 19 years of age.Yet, there has been a lack of research on time trends and socio-demographic risks for children and adolescents who receive treatment for ADs. Objectives We aim to fill gaps in our knowledge by examining a nationwide sample of Finnish children and adolescents diagnosed in specialized healthcare settings. Methods We used register data of all singleton children born in Finland from 1992-2006 and diagnosed with ADs from 1998-2012. Changes in time trends in incidence were studied by dividing the study sample into three cohorts by birth years: 1992-1996, 1997-2001 and 2002-2006. The 22,388 individuals with ADs were matched with 76,139 controls. Nested case-control design was used to study the socio-demographic risk factors. Results Comparing the 1992-1996 and 2002-2006 cohorts showed the cumulative incidence of treated ADs at the age of 10 increased from 0.3% to 1.2% (females) and 0.46% to 1.9% (males). Subjects had higher odds of being diagnosed with an AD if mothers had low SES (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.42-1.58) and were single parents (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.84-2.15) at birth. Unipolar depression was the most common psychiatric comorbidity (31.2%). Conclusions ADs diagnosed by specialized services increased from 1998-2012 in both genders. This could indicate real increase in overall ADs, an increase in seeking treatment or both phenomena. The findings on maternal socioeconomic status and single parenting help improve understanding of environmental risk for anxiety disorders among children and adolescents. Disclosure No significant relationships.

ObjectiveMode of delivery and well-being markers for newborn infants have been associated with later psychiatric problems in children and adolescents. However, only few studies have examined the association between birth outcomes and anxiety disorders and the results have been contradictory.MethodsThis study was a Finnish population-based register study, which comprised 22,181 children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and 74,726 controls. Three national registers were used to collect the data on exposures, confounders and outcomes. Mode of delivery, the 1-min Apgar score, umbilical artery pH and neonatal monitoring were studied as exposure variables for anxiety disorders and for specific anxiety disorders. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine these associations.ResultsUnplanned and planned cesarean sections increased the odds for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.15 and aOR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05–1.19, respectively). After an additional adjustment for maternal diagnoses, unplanned cesarean sections remained statistically significant (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.18). For specific anxiety disorders, planned cesarean sections and the need for neonatal monitoring increased the odds for specific phobia (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01–1.44 and aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07–1.52, respectively).ConclusionsBirth by cesarean section increased the odds for later anxiety disorders in children and adolescents and unplanned cesarean sections showed an independent association. Further studies are needed to examine the mechanisms behind these associations.