Factors contributing to anxiety in adolescents surviving thalassemia major in Indonesia

Research from Universitas Padjadjaran Explores Anxiety Among Adolescent Thalassemia Major Survivors

Led by Prof. Henny Suzana Mediani S.Kp., M.Ng., Ph.D., from Universitas Padjadjaran, in collaboration with Bhakti Kencana University, delve into the mental health challenges faced by adolescents surviving thalassemia major in Indonesia. Published in BMC Pediatrics (2025), this comprehensive study examines key factors that contribute to anxiety in this population.

The study included 122 adolescent survivors and used a cross-sectional, correlational design to analyze the relationship between anxiety levels and psychosocial factors. Anxiety was prevalent, with 70.5% experiencing mild anxiety, 9.8% moderate anxiety, and 19.7% severe anxiety.

Importantly, the researchers identified body image as the strongest predictor of anxiety severity. Adolescents with a negative body image had an 11.6 times higher risk of severe anxiety. Self-esteem and coping strategies also showed significant associations, indicating that adolescents with low self-esteem and less effective coping mechanisms tend to experience higher anxiety levels. Interestingly, social support did not show a statistically significant relationship with anxiety in this study.

These findings highlight the critical need for psychological interventions focusing on improving body image and boosting self-esteem, as well as teaching effective coping strategies. Addressing these areas may help reduce anxiety and improve overall mental well-being in adolescent thalassemia survivors.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05403-3