Normative Data on Anxiety Symptoms on the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children in Taiwanese Children and Adolescents: Differences in Sex, Age, and Residence and Comparison with an American Sample

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine the differences in the levels of anxiety symptoms on the Taiwanese version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC-T) between Taiwanese children and adolescents and the original American standardization sample across gender and age, and to examine differences in sex, age, and residential background in the levels of anxiety symptoms. A total of 10,566 Taiwanese children and adolescents in the community completed the MASC-T. Their levels of anxiety symptoms on the MASC-T were compared with the original American standardization sample in March's study. The differences in age, sex and residential background in the levels of anxiety symptoms were examined by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results found significant differences in the levels of anxiety symptoms on nearly all MASC-T scales between Taiwanese and American children and adolescents across sex and age. Girls had higher levels of anxiety symptoms on all scales of the MASC-T than boys. Those from 16 to 19 years old had the higher levels of physical symptoms and social anxiety and the lower levels of harm avoidance and separation/panic than those in the 8-11 year- old and 12-15 year- old groups. Those who lived in rural areas had higher levels of physical symptoms and separation/panic than those who lived in urban areas. Those who lived in urban areas had a higher level of harm avoidance than those who lived in rural areas. These results provide fundamental knowledge on anxiety symptoms in Taiwanese children and adolescents. Further study is needed to examine the reasons for socio-cultural differences and differences in individual characteristics in anxiety symptoms.

Pain-related quality of life related to mental health and sociodemographic indicators in adolescents

“…Participants in this study were recruited from the 2009 Project for the Health of Children and Adolescents in Southern Taiwan, a research program examining the mental health status of children and adolescents living in four counties and three metropolitan areas in southern Taiwan 23 . In 2009, 254,130 students were studying in 205 junior high schools and 202,883 students in 143 senior high/vocational schools in this area.…”

The relationships between quality of life and anxiety symptoms and the moderating effects of socio-demographic characteristics in Taiwanese adolescents

“…Third, no study has examined the moderating effects of socio-demographic characteristics on the relationship between anxiety symptoms and QOL. Research found that there are gender differences in both QOL [11] and anxiety symptoms [12]. There are also differences in anxiety symptoms between adolescents living in rural and urban areas [12].…”

“…Research found that there are gender differences in both QOL [11] and anxiety symptoms [12]. There are also differences in anxiety symptoms between adolescents living in rural and urban areas [12]. Meanwhile, parents' education level has influence on adolescents' mental health [13].…”

Ansietas Menghadapi Ujian Nasional pada Siswa SMP dan SMA

“…Berbeda dengan remaja awal, remaja akhir yang merupakan masa persiapan menuju dewasa, terjadi peningkatan kemampuan berfikir. Pada masa ini risiko terjadi peningkatan ansietas seiring dengan meningkatnya tuntutan sebagai remaja akhir (Yen, et al, 2010).…”

“…Tekanan orang tua agar siswa lulus dengan prestasi yang memuaskan, sehingga mendapat tempat di perguruan tinggi favorit, tingginya persaingan untuk memasuki dunia kerja dan persiapan untuk hidup mandiri terpisah dari orang tua merupakan sumber ansietas siswa yang berusia remaja akhir atau yang berpendidikan SMA (Karatas, Alci, & Aydin, 2013;Santrock, 2007;Yen, et al, 2010). Akan tetapi, hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa mayoritas siswa SMA hanya mengalami anisetas ringan.…”