Parent–child interactions and anxiety disorders: an observational study

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Abstract

Past research has indicated a potential link between anxiety and parenting styles that are characterised by control and rejection. However, few studies have utilised observational methods to support these findings. In the current study, mother–child interactions were observed while the child completed two difficult cognitive tasks. The sample consisted of clinically anxious children (n=43), oppositional defiant children (n=20) and non-clinical children (n=32). After adjusting for the age and sex of the child, mothers of anxious children and mothers of oppositional children displayed greater and more intrusive involvement than mothers of non-clinical children. Mothers of anxious children were also more negative during the interactions than mothers of non-clinical children. The differences between anxious and non-clinical interactions were equivalent across three separate age groups. The results support the relationship between an overinvolved parenting style and anxiety but question the specificity of this relationship.

Section snippets

Participants

The sample consisted of 95 children and their mothers (43 children with anxiety disorders, 20 with oppositional defiant disorder and 32 non-clinical children). All children were aged between 7 and 15 years. Children from the anxious sample presented for assessment and treatment at the Macquarie University Child and Adolescent Anxiety Clinic, Sydney, Australia. The oppositional defiant children were collected via two sources. Nine percent of the oppositional defiant children were recruited from

Age

Significant negative relationships between maternal involvement and the child's age were found, r=−0.36, p<0.05. That is, the older the child the less help the mother gave to the child. However, no significant relationships between the negativity of the mother–child interaction and age were found, r=−0.07, p>0.05.

Sex

Mothers of boys were more involved during the tasks than mothers of girls, t(93)=−2.02, p<0.05. The negativity of the interaction did not differ between girls and boys, t(93)=−0.91, p

Discussion

Results from the current study, using an observational design with clinically anxious children, largely support the findings of previous childrearing research (Chorpita et al., 1998, Dumas et al., 1995, Hirshfeld et al., 1997, Krohne & Hock, 1991, Parker, 1981, Rapee, 1997, Stubbe et al., 1993). First, the data indicate that in a difficult and stressful situation, mothers of anxious children were more involved and more intrusive than mothers of non-clinical children. Second, the data indicate

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