Family functionality, depression and anxiety of adolescents in Tabasco, México

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the relationship between family dysfunction and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents from two public schools in Tabasco.

Material and methods: An observational and analytical study was conducted. The total sample was 256 adolescents from two public schools in Tabasco. Three scales were applied: APGAR (Adaptability, Partnership), Growth, Affection and Resolve) Family, Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale – 7, with prior informed consent. In order to evaluate the relationship between family functionality and symptoms of depression and anxiety, Spearman correlations were performed. The value of p <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The median age of the sample was XMed=16. Of the scores obtained on the PHQ-9 scale, 75.4% showed depressive symptoms, 72% on the GAD-7 scale showed depressive symptoms, while 66% showed some degree of family dysfunction on the Family APGAR. A negative correlation was observed between the PHQ-9 and Family APGAR scores (r= -0.55; p=0.001) and a negative correlation was also observed between family functionality and the GAD-7 scale (r= -0.45; p= 0.001).

Conclusions: A correlation was found between family functionality and symptoms of anxiety and depression. If family functionality is lower, symptoms of anxiety and depression appear more frequently. It is recommended to continue conducting studies in this population.

Keywords: Adolescent; Depression; Anxiety, Family functionality.