UC Irvine study analyzes teens’ anxiety patterns

Teenagers who overeat and smoke may feel compelled to do so because of

anxiety, a UC Irvine study concludes.

The study, which appeared in the June issue of the Journal of the

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is one of the first

to use hand-held computer diaries. It found teen rates of anxiety to be

unexpectedly high and led to more frequent episodes of anger, sadness and

fatigue.

The findings, part of a long-term study, may also provide insight into

teen perceptions and moods that may have changed after the Sept. 11

terrorist attacks.

Carol Whalen, professor of psychology, and her colleagues found that

teens recorded being anxious in about 45% of their computerized diary

entries, much higher than expected. This anxiety, which was equal in boys

and girls, led to more frequent feelings of unhappiness and low

self-esteem. Their anxiety caused them to engage in fewer conversations

and recreational activities and to eat and smoke more.

Whalen and her team issued 150 high school students a hand-held diary

in which the teens recorded their feelings and behavior during the day.

The computers turned out to be popular with the students and provided

much greater insight into the adolescent mind than traditional

questionnaires and interviews.

“The teens’ diaries showed us a much greater incidence of anxiety, but

they also revealed behavior patterns that had never been observed

before,” Whalen said. “We were able to see when this anxiety was

experienced, where and with whom. This study may help prevent adolescents

from starting harmful behaviors like overeating and smoking, and may help

psychologists and other health care practitioners take better care of

their adolescent patients.”