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Open AccessArticle
Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Due to Adverse Childhood Events: A Cross-Sectional Trial in Adolescents
by
Aikaterini Marini
Aikaterini Marini 1,
Ignatia Farmakopoulou
Ignatia Farmakopoulou 2
,
Ioannis Dritsas
Ioannis Dritsas 2 and
Evgenia Gkintoni
Evgenia Gkintoni 3,*
1
Department of Medicine, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
2
Department of Education and Social Work, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
3
Department of Psychiatry, University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2024, 12(15), 1515; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151515 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 23 March 2024
/
Revised: 12 June 2024
/
Accepted: 29 July 2024
/
Published: 30 July 2024
Abstract
Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to the development of anxiety in adolescence. According to recent studies, the COVID-19 pandemic represents a novel ACE that is associated with anxiety among adolescents. This study investigates the relationship between ACEs, COVID-19, and anxiety in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a community sample of 248 boys and girls ages 12 to 15 years (mean = 13.50 years) from five high schools in Eastern Attica. A total of four questionnaires were used: (1) Demographic Questionnaire, (2) State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children—STAIC, (3) Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale, and (4) COVID-19 Impact Scale. Results: The results demonstrated a moderate association between the total number of ACEs and anxiety (trait and state) in adolescence (trait anxiety: ρ = 0.37, p < 0.001; state anxiety: ρ = 0.29, p < 0.001). Girls scored significantly higher than boys on both trait anxiety (U = 4353, p < 0.001; mean difference = 5.5) and state anxiety (U = 5822.5, p = 0.014; mean difference = 2). The number of ACEs was found to be significantly related to the impact of COVID-19 (β = 0.025, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the significant link between ACEs and increased anxiety in adolescents, which is further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate that girls are more affected than boys. These results emphasize the need for targeted mental health interventions to enhance coping mechanisms, reduce stress, and address anxiety in adolescents, particularly during global crises like the pandemic. Developing such programs is essential for supporting the mental well-being of youth facing multiple stressors.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Marini, A.; Farmakopoulou, I.; Dritsas, I.; Gkintoni, E.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Due to Adverse Childhood Events: A Cross-Sectional Trial in Adolescents. Healthcare 2024, 12, 1515.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151515
AMA Style
Marini A, Farmakopoulou I, Dritsas I, Gkintoni E.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Due to Adverse Childhood Events: A Cross-Sectional Trial in Adolescents. Healthcare. 2024; 12(15):1515.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151515
Chicago/Turabian Style
Marini, Aikaterini, Ignatia Farmakopoulou, Ioannis Dritsas, and Evgenia Gkintoni.
2024. "Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Due to Adverse Childhood Events: A Cross-Sectional Trial in Adolescents" Healthcare 12, no. 15: 1515.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151515
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