Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anxiety Levels of Children with Developmental Disorders in Japan: Based on Reports Provided by Parents

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A large number of children with developmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have high anxiety. It has also been shown that the high anxiety has harmful effects on them, directly and indirectly. In this study, we conducted a survey on community samples on the level of anxiety of children with developmental disorders in Japan that had hardly been studied so far, and compared them with the anxiety in children in a general population sample in previous studies. Analysis on the 203 participants showed that children with developmental disorders have high anxiety as compared to children as in previous studies in other countries. Particularly children with ASD had a higher anxiety compared with children with developmental disorders without ASD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baba, M., Yamashita, K., Horii, M., & Takehara, K. (2013). Tsuujou-gakkyuu ni zaiseki suru tokubetsuna shien wo hitsuyou-to suru jidou-seito wo torimaku gakkyuu-zukuri ni kansuru kenkyuu. Bulletin of the Hyogo Prefectural Institute for Educational Research and In-service Training, 124, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellini, S. (2006). The development of social anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 21(3), 138–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black, K. R., Stevenson, R. A., Segers, M., Ncube, B. L., Sun, S. Z., Philipp-Muller, A., et al. (2017). Linking anxiety and insistence on sameness in autistic children: The role of sensory hypersensitivity. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3161-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dekker, M. C., & Koot, H. M. (2003). DSM-IV disorders in children with borderline to moderate intellectual disability. I: Prevalence and impact. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42(8), 915–922.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gau, S. S. F., Ni, H. C., Shang, C. Y., Soong, W. T., Wu, Y. Y., Lin, L. Y., et al. (2010). Psychiatric comorbidity among children and adolescents with and without persistent attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(2), 135–143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. (1997). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: A research note. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 38(5), 581–586.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gotham, K., Bishop, S. L., Hus, V., Huerta, M., Lund, S., Buja, A., et al. (2013). Exploring the relationship between anxiety and insistence on sameness in autism spectrum disorders. Autism Research, 6(1), 33–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hirasawa, N., Jinno, Y., & Hiroshima, S. (2006). Questionnaire survey on mild developmental disabilities with behavior problem in elementally regular class: Characteristic of most difficult behavior across a school year and a diagnosis. Annual Report of the Faculty of Education, Gifu University. Humanities and Social Sciences, 55(1), 227–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, B. P., Carter, M., & Stephenson, J. (2010). Anger management using a cognitive-behavioural approach for children with special education needs: A literature review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 57(3), 245–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horiuchi, F., Oka, Y., Uno, H., Kawabe, K., Okada, F., Saito, I., et al. (2014). Age- and sex-related emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorders: Comparison with control children. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 68(7), 542–550.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Iizuka, C., Yamashita, Y., Nagamitsu, S., Yamashita, T., Araki, Y., Ohya, T., et al. (2010). Comparison of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) scores between children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Brain and Development, 32(8), 609–612.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa, S. I., Sato, H., & Sasagawa, S. (2009). Anxiety disorder symptoms in Japanese children and adolescents. Journal of anxiety disorders, 23(1), 104–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa, S. I., Shimotsu, S., Ono, T., Sasagawa, S., Kondo-Ikemura, K., Sakano, Y., et al. (2014). A parental report of children’s anxiety symptoms in Japan. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 45(3), 306–317.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ishimoto, Y. (2016). Function and problem of supports for children with developmental disorders in the day-care services for children with disabilities. In The 58th annual meeting of the Japan Association of Educational Psychology abstract book (pp. 102–103).

  • Kamo, S., & Tojo, Y. (2010). The current and future prospect: Studies for the relevance on non-attendance at school and developmental disorders. Bulletin of the Faculty of Education, Ibaraki University. Educational Science, 59, 137–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. A., Szatmari, P., Bryson, S. E., Streiner, D. L., & Wilson, F. J. (2000). The prevalence of anxiety and mood problems among children with autism and Asperger syndrome. Autism, 4(2), 117–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kleinhans, N. M., Richards, T., Weaver, K., Johnson, L. C., Greenson, J., Dawson, G., et al. (2010). Association between amygdala response to emotional faces and social anxiety in autism spectrum disorders. Neuropsychologia, 48(12), 3665–3670.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kuusikko, S., Pollock-Wurman, R., Jussila, K., Carter, A. S., Mattila, M. L., Ebeling, H., et al. (2008). Social anxiety in high-functioning children and adolescents with autism and Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(9), 1697–1709.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lidstone, J., Uljarević, M., Sullivan, J., Rodgers, J., McConachie, H., Freeston, M., et al. (2014). Relations among restricted and repetitive behaviors, anxiety and sensory features in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(2), 82–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuishi, T., Nagano, M., Araki, Y., Tanaka, Y., Iwasaki, M., Yamashita, Y., et al. (2008). Scale properties of the Japanese version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): A study of infant and school children in community samples. Brain and Development, 30(6), 410–415.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, Y., Ishimoto, Y., & Yamane, T. (2016). How to develop a community-based CBT program for children with developmental disorders. In EABCT 2016 abstract book, Stockholm, Sweden (p. 540).

  • Mayes, S. D., Calhoun, S. L., Murray, M. J., & Zahid, J. (2011). Variables associated with anxiety and depression in children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23(4), 325–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazefsky, C. A., Kao, J., & Oswald, D. P. (2011). Preliminary evidence suggesting caution in the use of psychiatric self-report measures with adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 164–174.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, MEXT. (2018). Heisei 28 nendo “jidou seito no mondai-koudou, futoukou tou seitoshidou jyou no sho-mondai ni kansuru chousa” (kakutei-chi) nit suite [The annual report of the survey on problems related to student guidance such as problem behavior and school non-attendance]. http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/30/02/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2018/02/23/1401595_002_1.pdf.

  • Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, MHLW. (2017). Heisei 28 nen shakai-fukushi shisetsu tou chousa no gaikyou [The annual report of the survey on social welfare facility]. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/fukushi/16/dl/gaikyo.pdf.

  • Muris, P., Steerneman, P., Merckelbach, H., Holdrinet, I., & Meesters, C. (1998). Comorbid anxiety symptoms in children with pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 12(4), 387–393.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, J. M., & Harwood, H. (2011). Learning disabilities and anxiety: A meta-analysis. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(1), 3–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noda, W., Ito, H., Fujita, C., Nakajima, S., Seno, Y., Okada, R., et al. (2012). Re-examination of the Japanese Version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Parent Ratings Form: Generating cut-off score and normative data for each grade and sex using the entire cohort data in one suburban city in Japan. Clinical Psychiatry, 54(4), 383–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, J., Glod, M., Connolly, B., & McConachie, H. (2012). The relationship between anxiety and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(11), 2404–2409.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shimoda, H., Shimizu, N., Hashimoto, S., & Kanno, A. (2006). Educational support for the middle school division of schools for the mentally retarded: A survey of students exhibiting behavior problems. Bulletin of Tokyo Gakugei University. Educational Sciences, 57, 505–513.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spence, S. H. (1998). A measure of anxiety symptoms among children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36(5), 545–566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spence, S. H. (1999). Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale-Parent version. Brisbane: University of Queensland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sukhodolsky, D. G., Bloch, M. H., Panza, K. E., & Reichow, B. (2013). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with high-functioning autism: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 132(5), e1341–e1350.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tannock, R. (2009). ADHD with anxiety disorders. In T. E. Brown (Ed.), ADHD comorbidities: Handbook for ADHD complications in children and adults (pp. 131–155). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ung, D., Selles, R., Small, B. J., & Storch, E. A. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 46(4), 533–547.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Steensel, F. J., Bögels, S. M., & Perrin, S. (2011). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14(3), 302.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • van Steensel, F. J., & Heeman, E. J. (2017). Anxiety levels in children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(7), 1753–1767.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Vasa, R. A., Kalb, L., Mazurek, M., Kanne, S., Freedman, B., Keefer, A., et al. (2013). Age-related differences in the prevalence and correlates of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7(11), 1358–1369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, S., & Read, S. (2006). The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among people with intellectual disabilities: An analysis of the literature. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 19(4), 330–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, S. W., Oswald, D., Ollendick, T., & Scahill, L. (2009). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(3), 216–229.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • White, S. W., & Roberson-Nay, R. (2009). Anxiety, social deficits, and loneliness in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(7), 1006–1013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Witwer, A. N., & Lecavalier, L. (2010). Validity of comorbid psychiatric disorders in youngsters with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 22(4), 367–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP15K04160.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Teacher Education Center, Tottori University, 4-101 Minami, Koyama-cho, Tottori-shi, Tottori, 680-8550, Japan

    Yuma Ishimoto

  2. Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, 3-11 Tsurukabuto, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 657-8501, Japan

    Takahiro Yamane

  3. School of Human Life Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Nishihamaboji, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan

    Yuki Matsumoto

Authors
  1. Yuma Ishimoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Takahiro Yamane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yuki Matsumoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

YI conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, performed the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript; TY participated in the design of the study, performed the statistical analysis, assisted with interpretation of the data, and helped draft the manuscript; YM participated in the design of the study and interpretation of the data, and helped draft and revise the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuma Ishimoto.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ishimoto, Y., Yamane, T. & Matsumoto, Y. Anxiety Levels of Children with Developmental Disorders in Japan: Based on Reports Provided by Parents. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 3898–3905 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04092-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04092-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation