Anxiety affects many people. In the U.S., approximately 1 in 5 of adults and 10-20% of youths experience clinical levels of anxiety at some point during their lives. In Latinos, these rates may be a little higher. A team of researchers at San Diego State University are hoping to learn about how anxiety affects families, and are particularly interested in the unique perspectives of Chicano mothers. The goal of this study is to learn about anxiety in this population so that treatments can be developed to specifically address the needs of Latino families.
A certain amount of anxiety is normal, and can even be healthy, keeping us alert and safe from harm. Without anxiety or nerves, we would not look both ways before crossing the street or study before tests. However, for some people, anxiety can feel so strong that it becomes difficult to manage. Some people worry a lot and feel like their minds are constantly working overtime. Some people feel stress in their bodies and get frequent headaches, stomachaches, or aches and pains. Many have the idea that anxiety is not a real problem or that people should “toughen up” and just “stop worrying” or stop being so shy or sensitive. If you experience anxiety, you know that it is not that simple. For many children and adults, stress and anxiety are real problems. Anxiety can be exhausting, and get in the way of people’s everyday lives. Anxiety can make it difficult to sleep, concentrate, and can disrupt relationships with friends and family members. In some cases, people feel so overwhelmed by anxiety that they may become depressed.
Think about someone you know who seems anxious a lot. Now think about that person’s family. You may notice that anxiety occurs in more than one family member. You may also notice that many anxious individuals have “always been that way,” since childhood. Anxiety is the result of many things, including an individual’s temperament, the social environment, and even genetics. All of these things interact, and there is not just one thing that makes people vulnerable to high levels of anxiety. Our group is particularly interested in learning about family relationships, communication, and how youths “see the world” (e.g., attention and other cognitive processes). We hope that learning more about this will help us develop new methods of non-medication treatment suitable for families of various cultures.
Mothers who experience anxiety, and/or youths ages 7-17 who experience anxiety, may be eligible for this research opportunity. Parents and their children receive a free evaluation of anxiety and other emotional or behavioral problems. We will talk to families to summarize assessment results and provide feedback about potential concerns and treatment options. The evaluation takes approximately 4 hours total and can be completed in one visit.
If interested, anxious youths and/or parents may also be eligible for free computerized treatment of symptoms of anxiety and depression. Families are paid for their time and local travel. For this particular study, eligible mothers and youths should feel comfortable completing interviews and questionnaires in English. We hope that you consider participation in this opportunity to contribute to our understanding of how anxiety affects Chicano families. Please call Araceli at (619) 594-8892, or email us as at chaam.sdsu@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.