1
|
Svraka B, Álvarez C, Szücs D. Anxiety predicts math achievement in kindergarten children. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1335952. [PMID: 38476390 PMCID: PMC10927750 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1335952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Math anxiety (MA) is an academic anxiety about learning, doing, and evaluating mathematics, usually studied in school populations and adults. However, MA likely has its origins before children go to school. For example, studies have shown that general anxiety (GA) for everyday events is less separable from MA in primary than in early secondary school. This suggests that GA may be a precursor of MA. For this reason, here, we have examined whether GA is already associated with math achievement at the end of kindergarten. Methods We tested 488 Hungarian kindergarten children aged 5.7 to 6.9 years (55% girls) and analyzed the effect of GA, sex, and family SES on math achievement in kindergarten children. Results Strikingly, confirming results from primary school children, we found that GA negatively correlated with math achievement already in this preschool population. Higher GA levels had a stronger negative effect on girls' than boys' math achievement. However, there were no significant sex differences in math achievement in kindergarten. Additionally, family socioeconomic status was the strongest predictor of math achievement. Discussion We speculate that high GA in preschool is a plausible early precursor of later high MA. Early interventions could aim to control GA levels before children start formal schooling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernadett Svraka
- Department of Education, Faculty of Primary and Pre-School Education, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Mental Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Metacognition Research Group, Szeged, Hungary
- National Laboratory for Social Innovation, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Carolina Álvarez
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dénes Szücs
- Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bjørklund O, Wichstrøm L, Llewellyn C, Steinsbekk S. Validation of the adult eating behavior questionnaire in a Norwegian sample of adolescents. Appetite 2024; 192:107116. [PMID: 37951504 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Eating behaviors are related to health and well-being. To examine stability and change in eating behaviors throughout life, developmentally appropriate measures capturing the same eating behavior dimensions are needed. The newly developed Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) builds on the well-established parent-reported Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), and together with the corresponding Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire (BEBQ), these questionnaires cover all ages. However, validation studies on adolescents are relatively sparse and have yielded somewhat conflicting results. The present study adds to existing research by testing the psychometric properties of the AEBQ in a sample of 14-year-olds and examining its construct validity by means of the parent-reported CEBQ. The current study uses age 14 data (analysis sample: n = 636) from the ongoing Trondheim Early Secure Study, a longitudinal study of a representative birth cohort of Norwegian children (baseline: n = 1007). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test the factorial validity of AEBQ. Construct validity was examined by bivariate correlations between AEBQ subscales and CEBQ subscales. CFAs revealed that a 7-factor solution of the AEBQ, with the Hunger scale removed, was a better-fitting model than the original 8-factor structure. The 7-factor model was respecified based on theory and model fit indices, resulting in overall adequate model fit (χ2 = 896.86; CFI = 0.924; TLI = 0.912; RMSEA = 0.05 (90% CI: 0.043, 0.051); SRMR = 0.06). Furthermore, small-to-moderate correlations were found between corresponding AEBQ and CEBQ scales. This study supports a 7-factor solution of the AEBQ without the Hunger scale and provide evidence of its construct validity in adolescents. Several of the CEBQ subscales were significantly associated with weight status, whereas this was the case for only one of the AEBQ scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oda Bjørklund
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Dragvoll, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; St Olav University Hospital, 7030, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Lars Wichstrøm
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Dragvoll, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; St Olav University Hospital, 7030, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Clare Llewellyn
- Department of Behavioural Science & Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Silje Steinsbekk
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Dragvoll, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Martin R, McKay E, Kirk H. Lowered social motivation is associated with adolescent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and social anxiety symptoms. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 29:338-352. [PMID: 37995373 PMCID: PMC10748457 DOI: 10.1177/13591045231218475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Difficulties in social skills are highly prevalent in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however, the reasons for these social difficulties are poorly understood. This study aimed to understand social motivation in children (aged 5-8) and adolescents (aged 13-17) with and without ADHD, and the relationship between social anxiety and social motivation in youth with ADHD. METHOD 204 parents of children and adolescents with and without ADHD completed online questionnaires on social motivation, social anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. RESULTS Adolescents with ADHD had significantly lower social motivation than typically developing adolescents, and children with ADHD. Higher social anxiety significantly predicted lowered social motivation in participants with ADHD. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate a unique pattern of social motivation in ADHD, specifically a reduction during adolescence, reflecting social intervention inefficacy. Additionally, these findings establish a link between social motivation and social anxiety, suggesting that they may act as barriers to social intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Martin
- Rachael Martin, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | | | - Hannah Kirk
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Raines EM, Viana AG, Trent ES, Conroy HE, Woodward EC, Zvolensky MJ, Storch EA. The explanatory role of anxiety sensitivity in the association between effortful control and child anxiety and depressive symptoms. Cogn Behav Ther 2020; 49:501-517. [PMID: 32692282 PMCID: PMC7581554 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2020.1790644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the underlying role of anxiety sensitivity in the association between effortful control and anxiety and depressive symptoms in a sample of clinically anxious children. It was hypothesized that effortful control would exert an indirect effect through anxiety sensitivity in relation to child anxiety and depressive symptoms. Clinically anxious children (N= 105; Mage = 10.09 years, SD = 1.22; 56.7% female; 61% ethnic minority) and their mothers completed a diagnostic interview and a battery of questionnaires that included self- and mother-ratings of child effortful control, anxiety sensitivity, and anxiety and depressive symptoms. The indirect effect of effortful control via anxiety sensitivity on child anxiety and depressive symptoms was significant across child- and mother-completed measures. Among clinically anxious youth, greater effortful control was related to lower anxiety sensitivity, which was related to lower anxiety and depressive symptoms. Future work should evaluate whether targeting effortful control leads to clinically meaningful reductions in anxiety sensitivity and child anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andres G. Viana
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204
- Texas Institute of Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204
| | - Erika S. Trent
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204
| | - Haley E. Conroy
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204
| | - Emma C. Woodward
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204
| | - Michael J. Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204
- Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric A. Storch
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Raccanello D, Barnaba V, Rocca E, Vicentini G, Hall R, Burro R. Adults' expectations on children's earthquake-related emotions and coping strategies. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2020; 26:571-583. [PMID: 32755469 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2020.1800057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Natural disasters such as earthquakes have a highly traumatic impact on psychological functioning. Recently, the study of children's earthquake-related emotions and coping strategies has gathered attention. However, little is known on the corresponding adults' representation, adults who in case of disasters are frequently key informants on children's reactions. Examining the influence of earthquake experience, we explored adults' expectations on children's earthquake-related emotions and coping strategies. The participants were 572 Italian university students. Referring to what happens during and after earthquakes, they were asked to list children's (a) expected emotions, and (b) coping strategies for diminishing fear and sadness. We coded (a) number of fear, sadness, and anger terms; (b) presence of 13 coping strategies. We used Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Fear was more frequent than sadness, and more frequent during vs. after earthquakes (and vice versa for sadness). Some coping strategies were reported rarely, while others were more salient (i.e. problem-solving, information-seeking, self-reliance, support-seeking, and accommodation). Earthquake experience had a marginal impact. Our findings enable us to deepen knowledge on the emotional representation of earthquakes. At an applied level, they can help professionals to develop training programs aimed at increasing children's emotional preparedness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Veronica Barnaba
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Emmanuela Rocca
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giada Vicentini
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rob Hall
- Environmetrics, Sydney, Australia
| | - Roberto Burro
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Discrepancies Between Teacher- and Child- Reports of Proactive and Reactive Aggression: Does Prosocial Behavior Matter? JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-020-09823-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
7
|
Treatment Integrity and Social Validity of the FRIENDS for Life Programme in a Northeastern Canadian School System. BEHAVIOUR CHANGE 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/bec.2020.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe FRIENDS for Life (FFL) programme, a school-based anxiety prevention programme, targets anxiety reduction and resiliency development in elementary school-aged children (Barrett, Sonderegger & Xenos, 2003). In the context of equivocal effectiveness findings regarding FFL in Canadian schools, the present study assessed pre–post changes in anxiety, self-esteem, and prosocial behaviour in a school system in Northeastern Canada. To yield further insight to the potential sources of equivocal FFL effectiveness findings, we also evaluated FFL treatment integrity (TI) and social validity (SV). Few studies have assessed FFL TI at the level of identifying which programme sessions, or within-session content, have or have not been adhered to (Higgins & O'Sullivan S, 2015). Similarly, few studies have provided detailed programme SV data or perceived programme benefits by children and parents. TI and SV can provide programme data beyond anxiety reduction, which is key in prevention programming research, as pre–post changes are challenging to detect in ‘healthy’ samples (Durlak & Wells, 1997). Treatment outcome, TI, and SV data were collected from classrooms across 10 elementary schools administering FFL. The sample included 210 child and 108 parent participants; post-testing occurred 1 week following FFL programme completion. Findings indicated significant decreases from pre- to post-test in child-reported anxiety and self-esteem but no changes in prosocial behaviours. Findings suggest that low TI ratings may have impacted anxiety, self-esteem, and prosocial behaviour results, and that child-reported SV may be more related to programme outcomes than parent-reported SV. Implications for FFL programme developers and future FFL evaluation studies are discussed.
Collapse
|
8
|
Exenberger S, Riedl D, Rangaramanujam K, Amirtharaj V, Juen F. A cross-sectional study of mother-child agreement on PTSD symptoms in a south Indian post-tsunami sample. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:414. [PMID: 31864344 PMCID: PMC6925879 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2408-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies examine caregiver-child agreement on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in non-Western cultures. The present study investigated mother-child agreement for PTSD symptoms in a South Indian sample, which was affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. METHODS Data was collected four years post-disaster. In total, 80 mothers rated PTSD symptoms for their 164 children and gave information about their own trauma symptoms. In addition, the children aged 8 to 17 reported about their own PTSD symptoms. RESULTS Results showed that mother-child agreement on posttraumatic stress symptoms was poor, and a child's age, gender and living situation (fishing village vs. family-based out-of-home care) did not positively influence this concordance. Moreover, mothers' own posttraumatic symptoms were strongly related to maternal reports of the child's PTSD symptoms. Multivariate analyses showed that mothers' PTSD symptoms were the only significant predictor for discrepancies in the rating of the child's PTSD symptoms. That means, if mothers reported clinically relevant PTSD symptoms, the likelihood for disagreement on the child's PTSD ratings more than doubled. Neither age, nor gender nor the living situation had an influence on children's self-rated posttraumatic stress reactions. CONCLUSIONS In general, long-term monitoring of posttraumatic stress symptoms of mothers and children should be planned by relief actions as recovery processes are decelerated through lacking resources in developing countries such as India. Specifically, the assessment of mothers' trauma symptoms is inevitable because the mothers' own responses to disaster highly influence their assessment of their children's symptoms. Mother-child agreement is discussed against the background of socio-cultural aspects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Exenberger
- Department of Medical Psychology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Speckbacherstr, 23/3, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - David Riedl
- 0000 0000 8853 2677grid.5361.1Department of Medical Psychology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Speckbacherstr, 23/3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kumuthavalli Rangaramanujam
- 0000 0001 2152 9956grid.412517.4Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, 605014 India
| | - Vijai Amirtharaj
- 0000 0001 2152 9956grid.412517.4Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, 605014 India
| | - Florian Juen
- 0000 0001 2151 8122grid.5771.4Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Bruno-Sander-Haus, Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Revised Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI-R) in a Child and Adolescent Sample. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-019-09745-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
10
|
Francis SE, Noël VA, Ryan SL. A Systematic Review of the Factor Structure of Anxiety Sensitivity Among Children: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Directions. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-019-09502-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
11
|
Abstract
Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the perception that anxiety symptoms and experiences have negative consequences, and has been identified as a risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders. AS has been measured in adults and in children, but to date, the construct of parent's sensitivity to their children's anxiety symptoms has not been identified, measured, or evaluated. The current study presents a novel measure of this construct, the Parent Sensitivity to Child Anxiety Index (PSCAI), and an initial evaluation of its psychometric properties. Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure consisting of parents' concern for physical symptoms, concern of social evaluation, and fear of anxiety symptoms. The PSCAI demonstrated good internal consistency, and was positively correlated with relevant parental constructs such as parental accommodation, anxiety sensitivity, and trait anxiety. This new measurement system opens new avenues for researching the early development of anxiety disorders and the possibility for novel targeted interventions.
Collapse
|
12
|
The Associations of Parents’ and Children’s Anxiety Sensitivity with Child Anxiety and Somatic-Hypochondriac Symptoms. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-018-9464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
13
|
BIS/BAS Scale in Primary School Children: Parent-Child Agreement and Longitudinal Stability. BEHAVIOUR CHANGE 2017. [DOI: 10.1017/bec.2017.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The current study provided psychometric information on the parent and child version of the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS)/Behavioural Approach System (BAS) scale. Parent-child agreement was evaluated (N = 217, 7.5 to 14 years, 50% boys). Moreover, absolute and rank order stability of mother-reported BIS/BAS scores over a 2-year period were assessed (N = 207, 5.5 to 11 years at baseline, 49% boys). Only full measurement invariant (sub-)scales were considered in the parent-child agreement and longitudinal stability assessment. Parent and child ratings were found to be measurement invariant but discrepant on BAS Drive and BAS Reward Responsiveness. In younger children, child ratings on BAS Drive tended to be higher than parent ratings, whereas in older children, child ratings tended to be lower than parent ratings. Further, the discrepancy between the BAS Drive ratings of fathers and children was higher than the discrepancy between the BAS Drive ratings of mothers and children. Finally, the study results suggested 2-year absolute and rank order stability of the measurement-invariant, mother-reported BIS and BAS Drive scores in children aged 5.5 to 11 years at baseline.
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Background Previous research suggests that it is important to use parental reports when assessing children’s anxiety, but it remains unclear to what extent there are differences between mothers’ and fathers’ scores and whether these potential differences have any repercussions for the psychometric properties of the scale being used. Objective This study was conducted to investigate parental differences on the Parent version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-Revised (SCARED-RP), a rating scale for measuring child anxiety symptoms. The second aim was to re-examine the reliability and validity of the SCARED-RP, in light of these possible differences. Methods The SCARED-RP and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) were administered to parents of clinically anxious children (n = 81), and control children (n = 108). All children (n = 189) completed the SCARED-R. Results Significant correlations between mother and father reports were found within the clinically anxious sample. Mothers showed significantly more correspondence with their children in the control group than fathers. The SCARED-RP internal consistency on total scale was excellent (mothers: .94; fathers: .94) and moderate to good for all subscales (from .66 Situational-Environmental Phobia to .93 Animal Phobia). The SCARED-RP differentiated well between clinically anxious and control children (mother and father data). The concurrent validity was supported by strong correlations with the CBCL anxious-depressed scale. Conclusion Differences between mother and father reports suggest the importance of obtaining information from both parents separately. Furthermore, the SCARED-RP is a useful instrument for assessing children’s anxiety disorder symptoms in clinical and research settings.
Collapse
|
15
|
Mathews BL, Koehn AJ, Abtahi MM, Kerns KA. Emotional Competence and Anxiety in Childhood and Adolescence: A Meta-Analytic Review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2017; 19:162-84. [PMID: 27072682 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-016-0204-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is conceptualized as a state of negative emotional arousal that is accompanied by concern about future threat. The purpose of this meta-analytic review was to evaluate the evidence of associations between emotional competence and anxiety by examining how specific emotional competence domains (emotion recognition, emotion expression, emotion awareness, emotion understanding, acceptance of emotion, emotional self-efficacy, sympathetic/empathic responses to others' emotions, recognition of how emotion communication and self-presentation affect relationships, and emotion regulatory processes) relate to anxiety in childhood and adolescence. A total of 185 studies were included in a series of meta-analyses (N's ranged from 573 to 25,711). Results showed that anxious youth are less effective at expressing (r = -0.15) and understanding emotions (r = -0.20), less aware of (r = -0.28) and less accepting of their own emotions (r = -0.49), and report less emotional self-efficacy (r = -0.36). More anxious children use more support-seeking coping strategies (r = 0.07) and are more likely to use less adaptive coping strategies including avoidant coping (r = 0.18), externalizing (r = 0.18), and maladaptive cognitive coping (r = 0.34). Emotion acceptance and awareness, emotional self-efficacy, and maladaptive cognitive coping yielded the largest effect sizes. Some effects varied with children's age. The findings inform intervention and treatment programs of anxiety in youth and identify several areas for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda J Koehn
- Kent State University, 600 Hilltop Dr., Kent Hall, Kent, OH, 4424, USA
| | | | - Kathryn A Kerns
- Kent State University, 600 Hilltop Dr., Kent Hall, Kent, OH, 4424, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Russell JD, Graham RA, Neill EL, Weems CF. Agreement in Youth-Parent Perceptions of Parenting Behaviors: A Case for Testing Measurement Invariance in Reporter Discrepancy Research. J Youth Adolesc 2016; 45:2094-107. [PMID: 27289553 PMCID: PMC7690213 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-016-0495-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
While conventional wisdom suggests that parents and their adolescent offspring will often disagree, the nature of discrepancies in informant reports of parenting behaviors is still unclear. This article suggests testing measurement invariance in an effort to clarify if discrepancies in informant scores reflect true differences in perspectives on the same construct, or if the instrument is simply not measuring the same construct across parents and youth. The study provides an example by examining invariance and discrepancy across child, adolescent, and parent reports on the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire. The sample for this study was 255 youth (51.4 % male) aged 6-17 years (M age = 12.3 years) and an accompanying parent. A five-factor model of the measure was found to provide approximately equivalent measurement across four participant groups (children under 12 years, adolescents aged 12-18 years, and parents of each group, respectively). Latent mean levels of reported parenting constructs varied greatly across informants. Age moderated the association between reports of two subscales, Parental Involvement and Positive Parenting, such that adolescents were more consistent with parents. The findings highlight the utility of testing measurement invariance across informants prior to evaluating differences in their reports, and demonstrate the benefits of considering invariance in the larger conversation over informant discrepancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca A Graham
- Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Erin L Neill
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, 4380 Palmer, Ames, IA, 50011-4380, USA
| | - Carl F Weems
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, 4380 Palmer, Ames, IA, 50011-4380, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Emotion regulation is closely related to mental health in children and adults. Low emotion regulation competencies have been found in school-aged sexually abused girls. The aim of the present study was to investigate emotion regulation competencies in sexually abused preschool girls and boys using a multi-informant approach. Emotion regulation was assessed in 62 sexually abused and 65 non-abused preschoolers using the Emotion Regulation Checklist and the MacArthur Story Stem Battery. Both parents and educators reported lower emotion regulation competencies in sexually abused preschoolers, especially boys, than in non-abused children. The narrative task completed by the children also revealed lower emotion regulation competencies in sexually abused boys. These findings could have an important impact on intervention programs offered to these at-risk children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Langevin
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP8888 succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
| | - Louise Cossette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP8888 succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Martine Hébert
- Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Salcuni S, Dazzi C, Mannarini S, Di Riso D, Delvecchio E. Parents' perception of children's fear: from FSSC-IT to FSSC-PP. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1199. [PMID: 26322004 PMCID: PMC4532920 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies involving parents' reports about children's fears and multiple informant comparisons are less extended than investigations on children's self-reporting fear schedules. Starting with the Italian version of FSSC-R, the FSSC-IT, the main aims of this study were to adapt a schedule for parents' perception of their children's fear: the FSSC-Parent Perception. Its psychometric properties were examined in a large sample of parents (N = 2970) of children aged 8-10 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial structures were examined and compared with the Italian children's ones. Mother vs. father, children's gender and school age group effects were analyzed. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a four correlated factors solution model (Fear of Danger and Death; Fear of Injury and Animals; Fear of Failure and Criticism; Fear of the unknown and Phobic aspects). Some effects related to child gender, age group, mother vs. father, were found. The FSSC-PP properties supported its use by parents to assess their children's fears. A qualitative analysis of the top 10 fears most endorsed by parents will be presented and compared with children's fears. Clinical implications about the quality of parent-child relationships where discussed, comparing mothers and fathers, and parents' perception about daughters' and sons' most endorsed fears.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Salcuni
- Dipartimento di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e della SocializzazionePadova, Italia
| | - Carla Dazzi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia Applicata, FISSPAPadova, Italia
| | | | - Daniela Di Riso
- Dipartimento di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e della SocializzazionePadova, Italia
| | - Elisa Delvecchio
- Dipartimento di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e della SocializzazionePadova, Italia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Langevin R, Hébert M, Cossette L. Emotion regulation as a mediator of the relation between sexual abuse and behavior problems in preschoolers. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2015; 46:16-26. [PMID: 25712046 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Maltreated children show poor emotion regulation competencies compared to non-maltreated children. Emotion regulation has been found to mediate the association between maltreatment and behavior problems in children. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships among child sexual abuse (CSA), emotion regulation (ER), and internalized and externalized behavior problems in preschoolers using conditional process analyses. ER competencies were assessed in 127 children aged 41-79 months (62 abused, 65 non-abused) by their parents (N=124) and early childhood educators (N=88) using the Emotion Regulation Checklist (Shields & Cicchetti, 1995, 1997). Behavior problems were evaluated by parents using the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000, 2001). ER was found to completely mediate the relation between CSA and internalized behavior problems and partially mediate the relation between CSA and externalized behavior problems. Parents' and educators' evaluations of ER were also found to differ as a function of child gender. The discussion focuses on the relationships among CSA, ER, behavior problems, and child gender. The clinical implications of these findings are also examined. Promoting the optimal development of ER could prevent the emergence and exacerbation of behavior problems in these at-risk children and, in turn, foster resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Langevin
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
| | - Martine Hébert
- Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
| | - Louise Cossette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Weems CF, Reiss S, Dunson KL, Graham RA, Russell JD, Banks DM, Neill EL. Comprehensive assessment of children's psychological needs: Development of the child Reiss Motivation Profile for ages four to eleven. LEARNING AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lindif.2015.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
21
|
Teye AC, Peaslee L. Measuring Educational Outcomes for At-Risk Children and Youth: Issues with the Validity of Self-Reported Data. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-015-9310-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
22
|
Francis SE. The role of parental anxiety sensitivity in parent reports of child anxiety in treatment seeking families. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2014; 19:111-24. [PMID: 23297377 DOI: 10.1177/1359104512470055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has examined the contribution of parental anxiety sensitivity to child anxiety, suggesting only a modest relationship between these two variables. No study to date, however, has examined the role of parental anxiety sensitivity in parent reports of the child's anxiety. It was hypothesized that anxiety sensitivity, a cognitive risk factor for the development of anxiety, would be significantly correlated with parents' reports of their child's anxiety, specifically with respect to panic and separation anxiety. The present study employed a sample of 56 treatment-seeking children and their parents. Parent and child reports of the child's anxiety were obtained, and self-reports of anxiety sensitivity were obtained from parent and child. Parent reports of their child's panic and separation anxiety symptoms were significantly related to not only parental anxiety sensitivity (r = .39 and r = .29, respectively) but also the child's self-reported level of anxiety sensitivity (r = .35 and r = .37, respectively). These findings suggest that anxiety sensitivity, a significant predictor of panic symptomatology amongst both adults and children, might be related to parents' perceptions of their child's symptoms of panic and separation anxiety. These findings further suggest taking into consideration parental levels of anxiety sensitivity when interpreting parent reports of child anxiety in clinical settings.
Collapse
|
23
|
Lagattuta KH, Sayfan L, Bamford C. Do you know how I feel? Parents underestimate worry and overestimate optimism compared to child self-report. J Exp Child Psychol 2012; 113:211-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Revised: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
24
|
Kuijpers RCWM, Otten R, Krol NPCM, Vermulst AA, Engels RCME. The Reliability and Validity of the Dominic Interactive: A Computerized Child Report Instrument for Mental Health Problems. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-012-9185-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
25
|
Jokić-Begić N, Jurin T, Lauri Korajlija A. Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Modified Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index in a Sample of Croatian Children and Adolescents. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-011-9244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
26
|
Weems CF, Feaster DJ, Horigian VE, Robbins MS. Parent and child agreement on anxiety disorder symptoms using the DISC predictive scales. Assessment 2011; 18:213-6. [PMID: 21075957 PMCID: PMC3749873 DOI: 10.1177/1073191110389278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Growing recognition of the negative impact of anxiety disorders in the lives of youth has made their identification an important clinical task. Multiple perspective assessment (e.g., parents, children) is generally considered a preferred method in the assessment of anxiety disorder symptoms, although it has been generally thought that disagreement between parent and youth ratings of the child's emotions is common. This study examined parent and child reports of the child's anxiety disorder symptoms using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Predictive Scales (DISC-PS) in a clinic-referred sample of substance using adolescents. Parents and adolescents (N = 480) who were referred for substance abuse treatment were screened for anxiety disorder symptoms using the DISC-PS at pretreatment. Results suggest similar (low) levels of agreement between the parent report and child report versions as found with other anxiety symptom and anxiety disorder measures. Findings provide data on multi-informant agreement and highlight issues in the use of the DISC-PS to identify anxiety problems in youth.
Collapse
|
27
|
The relations among measurements of informant discrepancies within a multisite trial of treatments for childhood social phobia. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2010; 38:395-404. [PMID: 20013046 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-009-9373-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Discrepancies between informants' reports of children's behavior are robustly observed in clinical child research and have important implications for interpreting the outcomes of controlled treatment trials. However, little is known about the basic psychometric properties of these discrepancies. This study examined the relation between parent-child reporting discrepancies on measures of child social phobia symptoms, administered before and after treatment for social phobia. Participants included a clinic sample of 81 children (7-16 years old [M = 11.75, SD = 2.57]; 39 girls, 42 boys) and their parents receiving treatment as part of a multisite controlled trial. Pretreatment parent-child reporting discrepancies predicted parent-child discrepancies at posttreatment, and these relations were not better accounted for by the severity of the child's pretreatment primary diagnosis. Further, treatment responder status moderated this relation: Significant relations were identified for treatment non-responders and not for treatment responders. Overall, findings suggest that informant discrepancies can be reliably employed to measure individual differences over the course of controlled treatment trials. These data provide additional empirical support for recent work suggesting that informant discrepancies can meaningfully inform understanding of treatment response as well as variability in treatment outcomes.
Collapse
|
28
|
Muris P, Mayer B, Freher NK, Duncan S, van den Hout A. Children's internal attributions of anxiety-related physical symptoms: age-related patterns and the role of cognitive development and anxiety sensitivity. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2010; 41:535-48. [PMID: 20440551 PMCID: PMC2917553 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-010-0186-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined age-related patterns in children's anxiety-related interpretations and internal attributions of physical symptoms. A large sample of 388 children aged between 4 and 13 years completed a vignette paradigm during which they had to explain the emotional response of the main character who experienced anxiety-related physical symptoms in a variety of daily situations. In addition, children completed measures of cognitive development and anxiety sensitivity. Results demonstrated that age, cognitive development, and anxiety sensitivity were all positively related to children's ability to perceive physical symptoms as a signal of anxiety and making internal attributions. Further, while a substantial proportion of the younger children (i.e., <7 years) were able to make a valid anxiety-related interpretation of a physical symptom, very few were capable of making an internal attribution, which means that children of this age lack the developmental prerequisites for applying physical symptoms-based theories of childhood anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Birgit Mayer
- Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nancy Kramer Freher
- Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvana Duncan
- Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek van den Hout
- Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|