Assessment of prevalence of Anxiety in adult population and development of anxiety scale: A study of 819 patients with anxiety disorder

Abstract

Objective: To develop an indigenous anxiety scale for adults and to assess the prevalence of anxiety among the adults.

Methods: Descriptive explanatory research design was carried out from 1^st January 2018 to 31^st May 2019 at the Department of Psychology, University of Gujrat. The indigenous anxiety scale for adults was used for data collection. Scale consisted on three sub scales which are used to assess the cognitive symptoms, behavior and physiological symptoms through CFA value and alpha reliability. Sample of adequacy is .965, Confirmatory Factor Analysis value .914, alpha reliability .974 were taken as standard. In cognitive symptoms subscale's alpha was 0.958, Behavior subscale .943 and Physiological symptoms subscale alpha was α .912.

Results: The prevalence of anxiety in 20-29 years individuals exhibited 17.5% (male 38.8%; female 62.2) symptoms of anxiety. 30-39 Years people showed 12.9% (male =56.9%; female=43.1%) , 40-49 years individuals showed 16.5% of anxiety and in late adulthood 50-60 years old people showed highest level of anxiety 22.10% (male=68.3%; female= 31.7).

Conclusion: The anxiety scale for adults is a reliable indigenous scale for measuring anxiety in adults. Further, the prevalence rate of anxiety in adult population is alarming indication and middle and late adulthood suffered more anxiety as compare to early adulthood.

Keywords: Anxiety scale; Behavior; Cognitive; Confirmatory factor analysis; Physical response subscales and prevalence; Reliability.