Abstract
The goal of this study was to examine differences between Latino individuals with anxiety disorder diagnoses that include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those with anxiety disorders without PTSD, in regards to comorbidity, psychosocial impairment, physical functioning, and treatment participation. The sample consisted of 150 adult Latinos participating in the Harvard/Brown Anxiety Research Project-Phase-II (HARP-II). Participants had at least one of the anxiety disorders included in the study (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, social phobia, and/or PTSD). Forty-five (30%) participants had PTSD which was lower than rates of generalized anxiety disorder (n = 90, 60%), social anxiety (n = 86, 57.3%), and panic disorder with agoraphobia (n = 83, 55.3%), and higher than panic disorder without agoraphobia, (n = 10, 6.6%). Those with PTSD compared with those with other anxiety disorders had a statistically significant higher number of comorbid Axis I diagnoses, higher rates of psychiatric hospitalizations, and poorer overall social adjustment than participants with other anxiety disorders. Clinical implications for assessment and treatment planning of Latino individuals with anxiety disorders are discussed.
