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Nonclinical Panic Attacks in Adolescents: Prevalence, Symptomatology, and Associated Features

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Neville J. King,
Thomas H. Ollendick,
Sara G. Mattis,
Bin Yang and
Bruce Tonge
Neville J. King*
Affiliation:
Monash University
Thomas H. Ollendick
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute andState University
Sara G. Mattis
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute andState University
Bin Yang
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute andState University
Bruce Tonge
Affiliation:
Monash University
*
Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
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Abstract

In this study, we examined the prevalence and nature of nonclinical panic attacks in 649 Australian youth and explored the relations between such attacks and measures of social support, stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. Full-blown attacks (attacks involving four or more symptoms with rapid onset) were reported by 104 of the youth (16%). Attacks were reported more frequently by girls than boys; however, age was unrelated to panic-attack status. Heightened levels of anxiety and fear, as well as stress in the family and lack of family support, were related to attack status. Path-analytic procedures supported a working model consisting of stress, social support, and emotional distress as related to panic status. Limitations of the self-report data on panic attacks and the other measures used in this study are acknowledged.

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Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 13 , Issue 3: Special Issue — Part I: Internalising Disorders of Children and Adolescents , September 1996, pp. 171 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1996

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