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Anxiety disorders are common in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and frequently comorbid with other mental disorders.

The main aim of the present study was to examine the incidence, recurrence and comorbidity rates of anxiety disorders across four developmental periods, namely, during childhood (5 – 12.9 years), adolescence (13 – 17.9 years), emerging adulthood (18 – 23.9 years), and adulthood (24 – 30 years).

Eight hundred and sixteen participants from a large community sample were interviewed twice during adolescence, at age 24, and at age 30. They completed self-report measures of psychosocial functioning and semi-structured diagnostic interviews during adolescence and adulthood.

The result showed first incidence of anxiety disorders to be significantly higher in childhood and adulthood than in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Female gender was …