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Self‐reported depression and anxiety symptoms in school‐aged S ingaporean children
Author(s) -
Magiati Iliana,
Ponniah Kathryn,
Ooi Yoon Phaik,
Chan Yiong Huak,
Fung Daniel,
Woo Bernardine
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asia‐pacific psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1758-5872
pISSN - 1758-5864
DOI - 10.1111/appy.12099
Subject(s) - anxiety , depression (economics) , psychology , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychiatry , macroeconomics , economics
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 S ingaporean primary school‐aged children. Age, gender, and ethnic differences and interactions were explored as well as similarities and differences between S ingaporean children and US norms. Methods A large representative community sample of 1655 8‐ to 12‐year‐old S ingaporean children ( C hinese, M alay, and I ndian) completed the M ultidimensional A nxiety S cale for C hildren ( MASC ) and the C hildren's D epression I nventory ( CDI ) as part of a larger epidemiological study of mental health in S ingaporean 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 I ndian 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 S ingaporean 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.