Adolescents’ Anxiety in the Coastal Region of Central Java, Indonesia

Background: Emotional problems are commonly reported among children, adolescents, and adults. It is known that emotional problems in children who are not treated properly can continue to cause disorder in adolescence and adulthood. This study aimed to investigate anxiety on adolescents, particularly high school and undergraduate students, and to compare different subscales of anxiety across educational level. Method: A total of 378 adolescents (286 high school students and 99 undergraduate students; M_age = 16.75; SD = 1.547) participated in this study. Data were collected using the Indonesian version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Disorders (SCARED; 26 items; α = .880). Total score and subscale scores were compared between high school students with undergraduate students. Results: The results of independent samples t-test showed that anxiety disorder and panic disorder/school avoidance were more frequently reported by undergraduate students than high school students. However, no significant differences were found in view of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety. Conclusion: The study findings indicate different profile of anxiety reported by students in the higher level of education that warrant early prevention and intervention program tailored to the educational setting. Awareness on early referral of anxiety problems among students should be raised among school principals as well as dean faculties prior to the escalated emotional problems. The study findings also recommend the need to design a psycho-educational program to reduce anxiety on the undergraduate as well as high school students.