Exploration of Separation Anxiety Disorder in Emerging Adults of General Population Separation Anxiety in Emerging Adults

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: Aug 13, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1339
Keywords:
Separation Anxiety Disorder Emerging Adults Gender differences

Main Article Content

Riffat Sadiq
Department of Applied Psychology ,Govt. College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Maryam Abdul Razaq
Department of Applied Psychology ,Govt. College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Manahil Tahir
Department of Applied Psychology ,Govt. College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Farheen Khalid
Department of Applied Psychology ,Govt. College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Jaweria Anwar
Department of Applied Psychology ,Govt. College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD), traditionally associated with children and adolescents, is increasingly recognized in adults, impacting their social, academic, and personal functioning. Emerging adults, in particular, may experience SAD due to significant life transitions and relational dynamics.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence and gender differences of separation anxiety disorder in emerging adults of the general population.
Methods: A total of 176 emerging adults (88 boys and 88 girls), aged 18 to 27 years (M = 21.29; SD = 2.51), were recruited from public sector educational institutes in Faisalabad using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form and the Severity Measure for Separation Anxiety Disorder-Adult. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests, were performed using SPSS Version 25.
Results: The study found that 62.5% of boys and 59.09% of girls experienced mild separation anxiety, with 23.8% of girls and 14.7% of boys reporting moderate levels. A non-significant gender difference was observed (t = -1.59, df = 174, p = 0.11, d = 0.21).
Conclusion: Separation anxiety disorder is prevalent among emerging adults, with mild to moderate levels noted regardless of gender. Early intervention is crucial to prevent escalation of symptoms.

Article Details

How to Cite
Sadiq, R., Maryam Abdul Razaq, Tahir, M. T., Khalid, F. K., & Anwar, J. . A. (2024). Exploration of Separation Anxiety Disorder in Emerging Adults of General Population: Separation Anxiety in Emerging Adults . Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(3), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1339
Issue
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2024): Volume 4, Issue 3 - July to September 2024
Section
Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biography

Maryam Abdul Razaq, Department of Applied Psychology ,Govt. College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

She is co-author of the manuscript

References

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Association; 2022.

Manicavasagar V, Silove D. Separation Anxiety Disorder in Adults: Clinical Features, Diagnostic Dilemmas, and Treatment Guidelines. Elsevier Academic Press; 2020.

Elbay RY, Gormez A, Kilic A, Avci SH. Separation Anxiety Disorder Among Outpatients with Major Depressive Disorder: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates. Compr Psychiatry. 2021;105:152219.

Baldwin DS, Gordon R, Abelli M, Pini S. The Separation of Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder. CNS Spectr. 2016;21(4):289–294.

Ekici F, Karaoglan G, Kandeger A, Demir LS, Guler O. Exploring Overlooked Anxiety Disorders: A Study on the Prevalence of Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder and Specific Phobia in the General Population. Genel Tip Derg. 2023;33(6):796-805.

Lourens ME, Shet LP, Effendy F, Islam A. An Empirical Study on Adult Separation Anxiety and the Effect on Children. J Posit Psychol. 2022;6(4):8363-8370.

Orgiles M, Espada JP, Garica-Fernandez JM, Mendez X, Hidalgo MD. Most Feared Situations Related to Separation Anxiety and Characteristics by Age and Gender in Late Childhood. Ann Psychol. 2011;27(1):80-85.

Manicavasagar V, Silove D, Curtis J, Wagner R. Continuities of Separation Anxiety from Early Life into Adulthood. J Anxiety Disord. 2000;14(1):1-18.

Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: A Flexible Statistical Power Analysis Program for the Social, Behavioral, and Biomedical Sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007;39:175-91.

American Psychiatric Association. Severity Measure for Separation Anxiety Disorder-Adult. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

Arnett JJ, Žukauskienė R, Sugimura K. The New Life Stage of Emerging Adulthood at Ages 18-29 Years: Implications for Mental Health. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(7):569-76.

Kin E, Soenens B, Beyers W. Separation Anxiety in Families with Emerging Adults. J Fam Psychol. 2013;27(3):495-505.

Basbug S, Cesur G, Batingun YD. Perceived Parental Styles and Adult Separation Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions. Turk J Psychiatry. 2017;1-12.

Finsaas MC, Klein DN. Adult Separation Anxiety: Personality Characteristics of a Neglected Clinical Syndrome. J Abnorm Psychol. 2021;130(6):620-626.

Silove DM, Marnane CL, Wagner R, Manicavasagar VL, Rees S. The Prevalence and Correlates of Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder in an Anxiety Clinic. BMC Psychiatry. 2010;10:21.

Posavac SS, Posavac HD. Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder Symptomology as a Risk Factor for Thin-Ideal Internalization: The Role of Self-Concept Clarity. Psychol Rep. 2020;123(3):674-686.

Mabilia D, Di Riso D, Lis A, Bobbio A. A Prediction Model for Separation Anxiety: The Role of Attachment Styles and Internalizing Symptoms in Italian Young Adults. J Adult Dev. 2019;26(4):286-294.