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Cited by 114Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health Treatment and AccessChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Phobia: prevalence and risk factors

Boyd, J. H., Rae, D. S., Thompson, J. W., Burns, B. J., Bourdon, K., Locke, B. Z., Regier, D. A.·1990·Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
DOI 10.1007/bf00782887
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Abstract

This article is the presentation of the main phobia data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) program, with a sample size of n = 18.571. Work on this article was initiated in 1981 at the beginning of the ECA study, but publication has been delayed a decade. Phobias are determined from information from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), classified according to DSM III. Phobias are found to be the most common psychiatric disorder in the community, more common than major depression or alcohol abuse or dependence in the month prior to interview. The one month prevalence is between 4.0 and 11.1%, with the estimated prevalence in the United States being 6.2%. There were nine community surveys of the prevalence of phobia that pre-dated the ECA studies, which found a wide range of prevalence rates from 1.2% to 26.1%. By far the strongest risk factor associated with phobias is the presence of another psychiatric disorder. Prevalence rates of simple phobia and agoraphobia are found in the ECA studies to be significantly higher in women; social phobia, which is less prevalent, has no significant sex difference. The prevalence rates are higher in younger age groups, and in those with low socioeconomic status (SES). The onset of phobias occurs primarily in the childhood or teenage years, and they tend to be chronic conditions. Less than a quarter of phobics receive treatment.

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Authors
Boyd, J. H., Rae, D. S., Thompson, J. W., Burns, B. J., Bourdon, K., Locke, B. Z., & Regier, D. A.
Affiliations
National Institute of Mental Health (US)
ORCID
Regier, D. A.
Venue
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
1990
Volume
25
Issue
6
Pages
314-323
ISSN
  • 0933-7954 (ISSN-L)
  • 1433-9285
DOI
10.1007/bf00782887
OpenAlex
W1987791015
Cited by
112
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
FWCI
2.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
phobia, prevalence, risk factors, Epidemiologic Catchment Area study, specific phobia, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, psychiatric comorbidity, sex differences, socioeconomic status, age of onset, treatment utilization, community mental health
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Agoraphobia, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Phobic Disorders, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Risk Factors, United States, Incidence

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