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Self‐reported depression and anxiety symptoms in school‐aged S ingaporean children

Self‐reported depression and anxiety symptoms in school‐aged S ingaporean children Introduction Few studies have examined anxiety and depression experiences of primary (middle) school‐aged children from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and most have relied on parents or others as informants. The present study aimed to investigate self‐reported anxiety and depression symptoms in Singaporean primary school‐aged children. Age, gender, and ethnic differences and interactions were explored as well as similarities and differences between Singaporean children and US norms. Methods A large representative community sample of 1655 8‐ to 12‐year‐old Singaporean children (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) as part of a larger epidemiological study of mental health in Singaporean children. Results Rates of clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression were 9.3% and 16.9% on the MASC and the CDI, respectively. Separation and social anxieties were most common. Evidence of a gender difference in levels of emotional symptoms was most evident in Indian children, with girls reporting more symptoms than boys. The relationship between age and internalizing problems was weak. Discussion A substantial minority of primary school‐aged Singaporean children reported elevated anxious and depressive symptoms. Better understanding of the factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of these problems can help the development of culture‐specific interventions and facilitate the planning of community‐tailored services and initiatives. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Asia-Pacific Psychiatry Wiley

Self‐reported depression and anxiety symptoms in school‐aged S ingaporean children

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References (60)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
© 2015 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
ISSN
1758-5864
eISSN
1758-5872
DOI
10.1111/appy.12099
pmid
24019243
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Introduction Few studies have examined anxiety and depression experiences of primary (middle) school‐aged children from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and most have relied on parents or others as informants. The present study aimed to investigate self‐reported anxiety and depression symptoms in Singaporean primary school‐aged children. Age, gender, and ethnic differences and interactions were explored as well as similarities and differences between Singaporean children and US norms. Methods A large representative community sample of 1655 8‐ to 12‐year‐old Singaporean children (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) as part of a larger epidemiological study of mental health in Singaporean children. Results Rates of clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression were 9.3% and 16.9% on the MASC and the CDI, respectively. Separation and social anxieties were most common. Evidence of a gender difference in levels of emotional symptoms was most evident in Indian children, with girls reporting more symptoms than boys. The relationship between age and internalizing problems was weak. Discussion A substantial minority of primary school‐aged Singaporean children reported elevated anxious and depressive symptoms. Better understanding of the factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of these problems can help the development of culture‐specific interventions and facilitate the planning of community‐tailored services and initiatives.

Journal

Asia-Pacific PsychiatryWiley

Published: Mar 1, 2015

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