Anxiety and Depression Among Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Lahore, Pakistan: A Quantitative Study
Keywords:
Special education, speech therapy, Anxiety, Depression & Intellectual DisabilitiesAbstract
This study investigates the prevalence of anxiety and depression among students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Lahore, Pakistan, a region where limited research exists on the mental health of this vulnerable group. Given the unique challenges faced by individuals with IDD, understanding their mental health needs is critical for ensuring appropriate care and support. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected from 32 teachers working in various schools that cater to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The data collection involved structured surveys that assessed the mental health status of students as observed by their educators, with a particular focus on symptoms related to anxiety and depression.
The findings highlight significant concerns regarding the mental health of these students, revealing that a substantial proportion exhibit symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can severely impact their overall well-being, academic performance, and social integration. The study provides valuable insights into the specific environmental, social, and educational factors that may contribute to the prevalence of these mental health conditions among students with IDD in Lahore. These factors include limited mental health awareness among teachers, lack of specialized mental health services, and societal stigma surrounding both disabilities and mental health challenges.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Birmaher, B., Brent, D., & AACAP Work Group on Quality Issues. (2007). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with depressive disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(11), 1503-1526.
Costello, E. J., Egger, H., & Angold, A. (2005). 10-year research update review: The epidemiology of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders: II. Developmental epidemiology. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(10), 972-986.
Cummings, C. M., Caporino, N. E., & Kendall, P. C. (2014). Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents: 20 years after. Psychological Bulletin, 140(3), 816.
Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.
Masi, G., Mucci, M., & Millepiedi, S. (2001). Separation anxiety disorder in children and adolescents: Epidemiology, diagnosis and management. CNS Drugs, 15(2), 93-104.
Merikangas, K. R., He, J., Burstein, M., Swanson, S. A., Avenevoli, S., Cui, L., ... & Swendsen, J. (2010). Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(10), 980-989.
Pine, D. S., & Klein, R. G. (2008). Anxiety disorders. In Child and adolescent psychiatry (pp. 177-190). Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Silverman, W. K., & Field, A. P. (2011). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Psychiatry, 7(5), 212-217.
Thapar, A., Collishaw, S., Pine, D. S., & Thapar, A. K. (2012). Depression in adolescence. The Lancet, 379(9820), 1056-1067.
Weissman, M. M., Wickramaratne, P., Nomura, Y., Warner, V., Pilowsky, D., & Verdeli, H. (2006). Offspring of depressed parents: 20 years later. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(6), 1001.
