Factors associated with anxiety disorders among individuals aged 18 - 30 years: the Thai National Mental Health Survey 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64838/jmht.2026.284309Keywords:
adolescents, anxiety disorders, early adulthood, mental health epidemiology, risk factorsAbstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence and examine related factors of anxiety disorders among people aged 18 - 30 years in Thailand.
Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a secondary data from the 2023 National Mental Health Survey of Thailand. The original survey included 4,160 individuals aged 18 years and older and employed the Thai version of the World Health Organization-composite international diagnostic interview 3.0 (WHO-CIDI 3.0). For the present analysis, participants aged 18 - 30 years were included and categorized according to the presence or absence of any anxiety disorder. Associations between anxiety disorders and socio-demographic, health-related, behavioral, and family-related factors were examined using the Fisher’s exact test and binary logistic regression analysis.
Results: A sample of 314 participants was obtained. The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders was 4.5%, and the 12-month prevalence was 3.2%. Factors significantly associated with lifetime anxiety disorders were recreational cannabis use (adjusted odds ratio: AOR = 6.05, 95% CI = 1.20 - 30.56), frequent headaches (AOR = 7.36, 95% CI = 1.55 - 34.95), gastroenteritis (AOR = 5.92, 95% CI = 1.34 - 26.13), and family history of generalized anxiety disorders (AOR = 39.04, 95% CI = 1.74 - 877.20). Factors associated with 12-month anxiety disorders included perceived poor mental health (AOR = 28.27, 95% CI = 2.30 - 347.74), frequent headaches (AOR = 9.47, 95% CI = 1.28 - 70.06), and gastroenteritis (AOR = 6.88, 95% CI = 1.17 - 40.64).
Conclusion: Anxiety disorders among people aged 18 - 30 years are associated with family history of psychiatric disorders, substance use, chronic illnesses, and perceived poor mental health.
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