NONCLINICAL PANIC ATTACKS IN ADOLESCENTS - PREVALENCE, SYMPTOMATOLOGY, AND ASSOCIATED FEATURES

In this study, we examined the prevalence and nature of nonclinical pa nic attacks in 649 Australian youth and explored the relations between such attacks and measures of social support, stress, anxiety, depress ion, and fear. Full-blown attacks (attacks involving four or more symp toms with rapid onset) were reported by 104 of the youth (16%). Attack s were reported more frequently by girls than boys; however, age was u nrelated to panic-attack status. Heightened levels of anxiety and fear , as well as stress in the family and lack of family support, were rel ated to attack status. Path-analytic procedures supported a working mo del consisting of stress, social support, and emotional distress as re lated to panic status. Limitations of the self-report data on panic at tacks and the other measures used in this study are acknowledged.