Correlation of Treatment Duration and Family Support with Anxiety Levels in Patients with Anxiety Disorders in Selected Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders result from complex interactions among biological, psychological, and social factors. Treatment duration and family support may influence the severity of anxiety symptoms among patients receiving outpatient care. Objectives: To examine the associations of treatment duration and family support with anxiety levels among outpatients diagnosed with a primary anxiety disorder. Methods: This analytic observational study used a cross-sectional design and recruited 41 participants through consecutive sampling at three health care facilities. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Indonesian Zung Self Rating Anxiety Scale, family support was measured using a questionnaire, and treatment duration was obtained from medical records. Associations were analyzed using the Fisher Freeman Halton exact test. Results: Panic disorder was the most frequent diagnosis (43.9%). Twenty-five participants (61.0%) had received treatment for 3 to 9 months, while 16 (39.0%) had received treatment for more than 9 months. Treatment duration was not significantly associated with anxiety level (p = 0.104; Cramer’s V = 0.34), nor was family support (p = 0.156; Cramer’s V = 0.26). Conclusions: No, statistically significant associations were identified. However, the small sample and sparse data warrant cautious interpretation and further investigation in larger studies