Phobias Research Estimates That Between

Phobias Research estimates that between 3.3 and 9.2% of children and adolescents have phobias, with age, case definition, and diagnostic instrumentation contributing to the observed variation. Additional testing is required to determine which phobias are most prevalent by age group, cultural background, gender and other similar factors. The present study surveyed 25 males and 25 females between the ages of 13 and 15. All the respondents were members of a youth group, coming from similar socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

It was hypothesized that the things feared as well as the amount of things feared would be different between the two sexes, and females would have more phobias. The results showed. INTRODUCTION: Phobias are defined as unreasonable fears of particular objects, activities, or situations that lead to avoidance of the phobic stimuli. A diagnosis of phobia requires the stimulus to be a source of distress or to interfere with normal functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 1987).

Although phobias are often acquired in childhood or adolescence, they have received little attention in these groups. Since phobias are common in adults and rarely lead to treatment-seeking behavior unless severe, their early diagnoses are important. Some researchers argue that some irrational fears are evolutionary hangovers from the dangers of ancestral environment. "Spider phobias, for example, are much more common than car phobias," says Clark Barrett, an anthropologist at University of California, Los Angeles.

"But the probability of being killed by a car is much higher in modern urban environments than the probability of being killed by a poisonous spider." Barrett believes that if predators have been an important influence in human evolution then scientists should be well attuned to understanding them. For instance, children from different cultures -- urban ones included -- learn facts about how dangerous animals are faster than information about their habitats. They also seem to have an insatiable appetite for information about predators -- even extinct ones.

Barrett calls this "Jurassic Park syndrome." Further, very young children seem to be well aware of the true motivations of predators even if they have been bombarded with false images such as the friendly lion in the Lion King. Community studies of children and adolescents report prevalence rates of phobia between 3.3% and 9.2%, with differences existing in age, case definition, and diagnostic instrumentation contributing to the observed variation (Anderson et al., 1987; Costello, 1989; Kashani and Orvaschel, 1988, 1990; McGee et al., 1990).

It is found that females report more fears and phobias than males, with gender differences occurring in both type and severity of fears reported (King et al., 1988; Marks, 1987). Disagreement exists about whether the number of fears changes with age, but acceptance that the nature of fears changes over time (King et al., 1988). The impact of single-parent and nontraditional families could be critical, though lack of a father in the household did not prove to be a significant risk factor for anxiety disorders among children (Costello,1989).

METHOD Data were collected on x (date). Subjects included 25 males and 25 females, 13 to 15 years of age. All of the adolescents in the sample were white, from middle-class backgrounds and traditional familial systems. None suffered from any other psychiatric problems such as anxiety attacks or depression. Youth completed self-administered questionnaires during the screening. The survey took place at a youth group meeting that they attend on a regular basis. The youths are very friendly and not intimidated by one another, so it is believed that information provided was correct.

Observation of their body language and expressions while talking about and describing their fear was added to the results of the survey data. Phobia was defined as a physical reaction that can interfere with every-day activities. The phobic subject will show symptoms consistent with a pounding heartbeat, nausea, perspiration, tremors and strong desire to escape the situation and feel as if he/she is in immediate danger; even just the thought of the phobia is enough to provoke the fear response of the actual phobic situation.

All subjects surveyed showed signs of anxiety that occurs specifically in relation to a certain situation or object. The following questions were contained on the survey. Individual phobic symptoms included insects, Scores for individual phobic symptoms ranged from 0 to 4:0 = no information; 1 = no; 2 = doubtful; 3 = mild; and 4 = moderate to severe. RESULTS: Frequency of reported phobias. (Males/Females) reported having greater number of phobia symptoms. The comparison was x % versus x%, which was/was not statistically significant.

More than x percent of individuals reported only one phobic symptom and more than x percent reported two or fewer symptoms; one individual reported four or more symptoms. The break down by gender was: The top 5 phobias found for this age group where 1)fear of clowns 2) fear of the dentist-dentophobia 3)fear of the dark-achluophobia 4)fear of heights-hypsiphobia 5)fear of spiders-arachnophobia. Frequencies Phobia(s) Gender Discussion As expected, x percent of youths of both genders report at least one case where phobia symptoms occurred; x percent have experienced more than one.

The most prevalent forms of phobia are: In the "other" category, youths added (items). However, it was not expected that females and males would have similar phobias and number of symptom reactions (change depending on results). This topic was studied, because it is hoped that children at a younger age can be provided with support and information that will reduce any fears that arise when getting older. Although many fears may be innate, it is believed that some of learned from society and peers.

Correct information will help youth better handle situations objectively as they arise. If this study was repeated, it would be important to have a larger sample and use survey instruments that are professionally designed to measure phobias and the resultant reactions. It would also be necessary to have a blind group for validity purposes and that the survey be taken without being in a group with other youths. There may be the.