Contextual factors and anxiety in minority and European American youth presenting for treatment across two urban university clinics

The current study compared ethnic minority and European American clinically-referred anxious youth (N = 686; 2–19 years) on internalizing symptoms (i.e., primary anxiety and comorbid depression) and neighborhood context. Data were provided from multiple informants including youth, parents, and teachers. Internalizing symptoms were measured by the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, Child Depression Inventory, Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher Report Form. Diagnoses were based on the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children. Neighborhood context was measured using Census tract data (i.e., owner-occupied housing, education level, poverty level, and median home value). Ethnic minority and European American youth showed differential patterns of diagnosis and severity of anxiety disorders. Further, ethnic minority youth lived in more disadvantaged neighborhoods. Ethnicity and neighborhood context appear to have an additive influence on internalizing symptoms in clinically-referred anxious youth. Implications for evidence-based treatments are discussed.

► 686 anxious youth were assessed for symptoms of anxiety and depression and neighborhood context.
► Informants included children, parent and teachers.
► Ethnic minority youth were more likely to live in disadvantaged neighborhoods and report more severe symptoms of anxiety and depression.
► Ethnic minority status and neighborhood context demonstrated an additive relationship on symptoms of anxiety and depression.