Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/198

Browse

Filters

2020 - 20222

Settings

Subject: search.filters.subject.Prevalence

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Social anxiety disorder among university students in Sri Lanka : prevalence, associated risk factors, and culturally adapted cognitive behavioural group therapy
    (University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2022) de Silva, B.G.R.
    Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), one of the most common mental health disorders globally, demonstrate early-onset, chronic course, and debilitating dysfunction in all social spheres, especially in education. There is a scarcity of information on SAD in Sri Lanka, and none among university students. Therefore, the study objectives were to determine prevalence and associated risk factors among university students in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1137 students from five state universities. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale — Sinhala version and a Psychosocial Correlates Questionnaire for SAD developed for this study, were used as instruments. The analysis included bivariate analysis such as chi-square tests for independence, and Spearman’s r correlations to identify significant associations. Identified variables at p<0.05 were entered in to binary logistic regression models to determine factors associated with social anxiety disorder. Of the 985 who completed the questionnaires, 57.1% screened positive for SAD. In terms of demographic factors and _ clinical characteristics, female gender(AOR=1.41,95%CI 1.10-1.84, p= 0.01) and a history of mental health issues(AOR=2.79, 95%CI 1.90-4.10, p<0.001), and in terms of negative family and adverse childhood experiences, experiences of emotional abuse(AOR=1.31, 95% CI 1.11- 1.54, p=0.001), parent dissatisfaction (AOR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01- 1.13, p<0.05) and overcontrol by parents(AOR=1.08,95%CI1.02-1 .15,p<0.05) remained significantly associated risk factors for SAD. Further, | body dissatisfaction (AOR=1 .05, 95% CI 1.05 — 1.10, p<0.05) , and dissatisfaction with breasts (AOR=.60, 95% CI .46 — .77, p<0.001) were identified as associated significant factors of SAD. Additionally, in terms of school experiences, experiences of humiliation, not being accepted or rejection by school friends (AOR=1.63,95% Cr 1.29-2.05, p<0.001) and rejection, invalidation or isolation due to social connections(AOR=1.3, 95% Cl 1.08- 1.58, p<0.001) , while in university experiences, experiences of humiliation, not being - accepted or rejection by friends(AOR=1.31,95%CI1.09-1.60,p<0.05), experiences of mental harassment(AOR=1.47,95%CI 1.12-1.92,p<0.05), and viewing the medium of study as a challenge,(AOR=1.55,95%CI1.16-2.10,p<0.05) remained independently and significantly associated with SAD. The study recognizes a high prevalence rate of SAD and associated risk factors among university students in Sri Lanka. Although, diagnostic interviews were not conducted — and the actual prevalence rates may be lower, this is an under-recognized issue which needs further exploration as students with SAD will be challenged in their academic and occupational pursuits.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Translation and validation of liebowitz social anxiety scale and a randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of group cognitive behavior therapy versus a wait list control of university students with social phobia.
    (University of Kelaniya, 2020) Hapangama, A.
    Background: Despite being one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, social phobia remains to be under-diagnosed. To date no instrument to measure social phobia in available in Sinhalese. Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy (CBGT) has not only been proven effective but also cost-effective in other countries fbr adults with social phobia. Objective: to translate and validate the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale- self-rated (LSAS-SR) in to Sinhalese and to determine the effectiveness of CBGT as compared to a waitlist control of university students with social phobia. Method: Translation, adaptation and validation followed the standard procedure. DSM IV was used as the gold standard to diagnose social phobia. A single-blind randomized controlled trial consisting of an 8-week treatment phase with a modified form of CBGT versus a waitlist control was conducted among consenting university students with social phobia. Results: Cut- off of 39 had the best sensitivity and specificity. The Cronbach's alpha between the totals of avoidance and fear subscales was 0.919. The test-retest reliability fbr the fear subscale, avoidance subscale and the total score were 0.998, 0.999 and 0.994 respectively with a correlation significant at 0.01. Repeated measure analysis of the total scores of the Sinhala version of LSAS-SR in CBGT arm showed statistically significant (p<0.001) reduction in the total scores (13.6222) when compared to the scores in the waitlist arm. Conclusions: Cutoff value of 39 fbr the Sinhala translation of the LSAS-SR supports findings of other studies with regard to psychometric properties. CBGT is effective in treating university students with social phobia in Sri Lanka. Larger scale studies among other people with social phobia also looking at cost-effectiveness may provide more light on this.