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The relationship between separation anxiety and impairment.
Debra L Foley1, Richard Rowe, Hermine Maes
1Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, USA. dfoley@hsc.vcu.edu
Journal of Anxiety Disorders
|July 31, 2007
Summary
Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms show continuity over time, with prior symptom levels predicting future outcomes. While impairment may indicate treatment need, symptom levels best predict severity and prognosis in youth.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common childhood condition.
- Understanding the relationship between SAD symptoms and functional impairment is crucial for effective intervention.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the prognostic significance of SAD symptoms and associated impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the contemporaneous and prognostic relationship between separation anxiety disorder symptoms and functional impairment in a large twin sample.
- To determine whether prior symptom levels or functional impairment predict future SAD symptoms and diagnostic status.
- To investigate age-related differences in symptom persistence and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- A community-based sample of 2067 twins aged 8-16 years was assessed.
- Personal interviews were conducted with subjects and parents on two occasions, with an average 18-month follow-up.
- Data collected included current history of SAD symptoms and associated functional impairment.
Main Results:
- Separation anxiety disorder symptoms demonstrated significant continuity over time.
- Older youth exhibited more persistent SAD symptoms compared to younger children.
- Prior SAD symptom levels independently predicted future symptom levels and diagnostic threshold, whereas impairment did not.
Conclusions:
- Symptom levels of separation anxiety disorder are more indicative of long-term severity and prognosis than functional impairment.
- Functional impairment may serve as a useful index of current treatment need.
- Age influences the persistence of SAD symptoms in youth.
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