Association of problems, coping styles, and preferred online activity with depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders in Turkish adolescents diagnosed with chronic kidney disease

Background To assess depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders in adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and determine the significant factors and the effect of digital media use on its scores among these patient groups.

Methods The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study and included 84 adolescents with CKD and 68 healthy controls.

The participants completed the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS).

We recorded their age, gender, the most problematic issue in their lives, coping methods with problems, and online applications they prefer in their leisure time.

Results Elevated rates (scores > 70) of separation anxiety, panic disorder, obsession, depression, total anxiety, and total depression scales were statistically higher in the CKD group.

Separation anxiety, panic disorder, obsession, total anxiety, and total depression scales were higher in girls, and panic disorder, obsession, depression, total anxiety, and total depression scores were higher in younger ages in multivariate analysis.

In the CKD group, family issues/problems increased panic disorder, obsession, depression, total anxiety, and total depression scales.

Crying in tears/yelling response in children while facing a problem was associated with increased separation anxiety and social phobia rates.

Also, preferring video applications was associated with separation anxiety and messaging applications with depression, total anxiety, and total depression.

Conclusions Adolescents with CKD are at risk for depression, anxiety, obsession, and panic disorders.

Also, crying in tears/yelling response may be at greater risk for anxiety among CKD adolescents.

Early psychiatric evaluation and routine psychiatric follow-ups initiated early may improve the mental health of this vulnerable population.

Graphical Abstract