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ANALYZING THE EFFECT OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND ANXIETY SEVERITY ON INSIGHT LEVELS IN ANXIETY PATIENTS: AN ORDINAL LOGISTIC REGRESSION APPROACH
Keywords:
anxiety disorder, insight levels, ordinal logistic regressionDOI:
https://doi.org/10.17654/0972361725047Abstract
Insight is a crucial factor influencing the treatment outcomes of patients with mental health disorders, as it determines their awareness and understanding of their condition. This study investigates the relationship between socio-demographic factors, anxiety severity, and insight levels among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Data was collected from the Psychiatric Outpatient Department (OPD) of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) over a 12-year period (2012-2023), resulting in 1356 confirmed cases of anxiety. Among these, insight data was available for 890 patients, forming the sample for this study. Insight was measured on a six-level ordinal scale, ranging from complete denial of illness to true emotional insight. Socio-demographic variables, including age, gender, education, occupation, and the number of anxiety symptoms, were considered as independent predictors of insight levels.
The study employed ordinal logistic regression to examine the associations between these variables and insight levels. Results indicated that higher education, employment status, and greater anxiety severity (measured by the number of symptoms) were significantly associated with better insight. Specifically, individuals with higher education and those employed or studying demonstrated greater awareness of their mental health condition. Furthermore, patients exhibiting more severe anxiety symptoms were more likely to acknowledge their illness and seek appropriate medical intervention. These findings emphasize the importance of education and occupational engagement in enhancing insight levels and promoting better treatment adherence. Strengthening educational initiatives and raising awareness about mental health can help empower individuals to recognize their condition early and get the right support, leading to a better quality of life.
Received: April 9, 2025
Revised: April 30, 2025
Accepted: May 14, 2025
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