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ADad 9: Suicidal Behavior in Anxiety Disorders Among Adolescents in a Rural Community Population in India

  • Special supplement on adolescent care counseling
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The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The risk of suicidal behavior associated with Anxiety Disorders (AD) among adolescents is known. However, concurrent mood disorders complicate these findings, and no data is available from India as well as from the community. This study aimed to address the suicidal risk associated with AD from different perspectives.

Methods

The authors prospectively collected data for 500 adolescents in a community with independent, trained raters. Risk for suicidal behavior was measured with SADPERSONS scale, socio-economic status with Modified Kuppuswamy Scale, depression and anxiety disorders with Beck Depression Inventory and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders respectively. The relationship between predictors and need for preventive action was analyzed with univariate and multivariate regression analyses and a predictive model was built.

Results

Suicidal behavior was increased by the presence of AD (adjusted OR = 6.28), the number of co-morbid AD (adjusted OR = 2.04), severity of the AD (adjusted OR = 4.98). Being a boy increased the risk of suicidal behavior associated with AD (adjusted OR = 9.37), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (adjusted OR = 5.65), Separation Anxiety Disorder (unadjusted OR = 3.28), Social Anxiety Disorder (unadjusted OR = 5.91) while controlling for the confounding effect of Depressive Disorder. Gender did not have an influence on Panic Disorder. Presence of AD and co-morbid Depressive Disorder significantly contributed to a risk model for suicidal behavior.

Conclusions

Anxiety Disorder is associated with the risk for potential suicidal behavior. Adolescent boys with AD and Depressive Disorder need to be identified as the high risk group for suicide prevention in the community.

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Conflict of Interest

None.

Role of Funding Source

Supported by an intramural grant from Child Development Centre, Thiruvanathapuram.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632 002,, Tamil Nadu, South India

    Paul Swamidhas Sudhakar Russell & Beulah Samuel

  2. Child Development Centre, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, South India

    M. K. C. Nair, Abhiram Chandra, Vinod Shanmukham Subramaniam, K. Bincymol & Babu George

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  1. Paul Swamidhas Sudhakar Russell
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  2. M. K. C. Nair
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  3. Abhiram Chandra
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  6. Babu George
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Correspondence to Paul Swamidhas Sudhakar Russell.

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Russell, P.S.S., Nair, M.K.C., Chandra, A. et al. ADad 9: Suicidal Behavior in Anxiety Disorders Among Adolescents in a Rural Community Population in India. Indian J Pediatr 80 (Suppl 2), 175–180 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1122-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1122-8

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