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Li L, Yu Q, Wang Y, Wang Z, Zhou X, Guan Q, Luo YJ, Li H. Electrophysiological evidence of lexical processing impacted by foreign language reading anxiety. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30061. [PMID: 38720696 PMCID: PMC11076877 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive studies have been conducted on the impact of foreign language reading anxiety on reading, primarily focusing on pedagogy and behavior but lacking electrophysiological evidence. The current study aimed to investigate the influence of foreign language reading anxiety on reading and its underlying mechanisms. The results revealed a negative correlation between foreign language reading anxiety and foreign language reading performance, irrespective of the native language. Adults with low levels of foreign language reading anxiety (LFLRA) demonstrated a significant difference in early lexical component N170 amplitude between foreign and native languages. However, this effect was not observed in adults with high levels of foreign language reading anxiety (HFLRA). In terms of N170 latency, HFLRA showed a longer N170 for the foreign language compared to the native language. Furthermore, the N170 effects were predominantly localized over the left occipitotemporal electrodes. Regarding N400 latency, a significant difference was found in LFLRA individuals between foreign and native language processing, while HFLRA individuals did not exhibit this difference. These findings suggest that HFLRA individuals experience inefficient lexical processing (such as orthography or semantics) during reading in foreign language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
- English Department, Jilin Medical College, Jilin, PR China
| | - Qianqian Yu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yuru Wang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Qing Guan
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yue-jia Luo
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Hehui Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
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Barnes ED, Grills AE, Vaughn SR. Relationships Between Anxiety, Attention, and Reading Performance in Children. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024:10.1007/s10578-024-01701-6. [PMID: 38676787 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-024-01701-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Many studies link anxiety in children with reading difficulties, but some facets of anxiety have been found to be positively associated with reading achievement. Attentional Control Theory offers a potential explanation for these seemingly contradictory findings, positing that anxiety can both interfere in attentional processes and enhance effort and use of compensatory processing strategies. The current study examines the relationships between anxiety, attentional control, and reading performance (word reading/decoding and passage comprehension) in a racially-diverse sample of 251 s-grade students, 152 of whom had not met reading benchmarks using screening measures. Results showed that harm avoidance was positively associated with reading performance and physical symptoms of anxiety were negatively associated with reading performance. These links were attenuated when including attentional control in the model, suggesting mediation and lending support to Attentional Control Theory. Further research is needed to confirm causal mediation effects between anxiety, attentional control, and reading performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily D Barnes
- Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Boston University, 2 Silber Way, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Amie E Grills
- Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Boston University, 2 Silber Way, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Sharon R Vaughn
- College of Education, University of Texas at Austin, 1918 Speedway, Stop D5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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McArthur G, Doust A, Banales E, Robidoux S, Kohnen S. Are comorbidities of poor reading related to elevated anxiety in children? ANNALS OF DYSLEXIA 2024; 74:47-65. [PMID: 38135828 DOI: 10.1007/s11881-023-00292-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the association between dyslexia and mental health have typically tried to minimise the influence of dyslexia comorbidities on the outcomes. However, in the "real world", many children with dyslexia have these comorbidities. In this study, we tested (1) if children with dyslexia with three common comorbidities - inattention, hyperactivity, language difficulties - experience more anxiety than children with dyslexia without these comorbidities; and (2) if any type of comorbidity is related to a certain type of anxiety (reading, social, generalised, or separation). The data of 82 children with dyslexia (mean age = 9 years and 4 months; 25 girls) were analysed using Fisher exact tests, which revealed that those with inattention (40.54%) or hyperactivity (42.30%) were statistically significantly more likely to experience elevated anxiety than children with dyslexia without these comorbidities (8.11 and 14.28%, respectively). This was not the case for language difficulties (24.5% versus 30%). Spearman ρ correlations (α = .05) indicated significant moderate relationships between inattention and reading anxiety (.27), social anxiety (.37), and generalised anxiety (.24); and between hyperactivity and social anxiety (.24) and generalised anxiety (.28). There were no significant correlations between language and anxiety. Examination of highly inter-correlated variables suggested a specific relationship between one type of comorbidity (inattention) and one type of anxiety (reading anxiety).
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve McArthur
- Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia.
- Macquarie University Reading Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Amy Doust
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Erin Banales
- Macquarie University Reading Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Serje Robidoux
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Saskia Kohnen
- Macquarie University Reading Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Fishstrom S, Capin P, Fall AM, Roberts G, Grills AE, Vaughn S. Understanding the relation between reading and anxiety among upper elementary students with reading difficulties. ANNALS OF DYSLEXIA 2024; 74:123-141. [PMID: 38227129 DOI: 10.1007/s11881-024-00299-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the relations between reading anxiety, general anxiety, and test anxiety in a sample of students with reading difficulties (n = 536). It also tested if dimensions of anxiety were differentially related to word reading accuracy and fluency, text reading fluency, or reading comprehension. The results indicated that the three anxiety measures were significantly related (r = 0.51 to 0.56, p < .001). Additionally, higher reading anxiety was related to poorer word reading fluency, text reading fluency, and comprehension outcomes. Further analyses indicated that these relations existed in students who fell in the middle and upper quantiles for reading, but not the lowest quantile. This pattern of findings suggests that the relation is complex and varies depending on severity of reading difficulty. Results may help to inform future efforts to support students with reading difficulties, including students with dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Fishstrom
- College of Education, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 1776 University Avenue, Wist 121, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
| | - Philip Capin
- The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Anna-Mari Fall
- The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Gregory Roberts
- The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Amie E Grills
- School of Education, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharon Vaughn
- The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Chung KKH, Lam CB, Chan KSC, Lee ASY, Liu CC, Wang LC. Are General Anxiety, Reading Anxiety, and Reading Self-Concept Linked to Reading Skills Among Chinese Adolescents With and Without Dyslexia? JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES 2024; 57:106-119. [PMID: 37415489 DOI: 10.1177/00222194231181914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the cross-sectional relationships between reading-related affective and cognitive factors and reading skills among adolescents with and without dyslexia. Participants were 120 Chinese-speaking eighth graders, including 60 adolescents with dyslexia and 60 typically developing adolescents from Hong Kong, China. Adolescents completed questionnaires on general anxiety, reading anxiety, and reading self-concept. They were also assessed on measures of rapid digit naming, verbal working memory, word reading, reading fluency, and reading comprehension. The results showed that readers with dyslexia reported higher levels of general anxiety and reading anxiety and lower levels of reading self-concept than typical readers. They also showed difficulties in rapid digit naming and verbal working memory. Importantly, controlling for rapid digit naming and verbal working memory, reading self-concept was uniquely associated with word reading and reading fluency for readers with and without dyslexia. Furthermore, reading anxiety and reading self-concept were uniquely associated with reading comprehension for the two groups of readers. The findings point to the importance of considering affective factors when examining the reading skills of Chinese readers and the utility of targeting these factors when supporting the learning of adolescents with and without dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chun Bun Lam
- The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong
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Barnes ED, Grills AE, Vaughn SR. Relationships between Anxiety, Attention, and Reading Comprehension in Children. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3088436. [PMID: 37461468 PMCID: PMC10350215 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3088436/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Many studies link anxiety in children with reading difficulties, but some facets of anxiety have been found to be positively associated with reading achievement. Attentional Control Theory offers a potential explanation for these seemingly contradictory findings, positing that anxiety can both interfere in attentional processes and enhance effort and use of compensatory processing strategies. The current study examines the relationships between anxiety, attentional control, and reading comprehension in a racially-diverse sample of 251 second-grade students, most of whom were struggling readers. Results showed that harm avoidance was positively associated with reading comprehension and physical symptoms of anxiety were negatively associated with reading comprehension. These links were attenuated when including attentional control in the model, suggesting mediation and lending support to Attentional Control Theory. Further research is needed to confirm causal mediation effects between anxiety, attentional control, and reading performance.
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Li H, Yuan B, Luo YJ, Liu J. Reading anxiety modulates the functional connectivity of the reading-related network during adult reading. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2023; 242:105278. [PMID: 37209490 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2023.105278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have studied cognitive and linguistic skills in predicting reading abilities, but the impact of affective factors such as anxiety on reading at the neurobiological level is not well understood. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural correlates of reading anxiety in adult readers performing a semantic judgment task. The results showed that reading anxiety was significantly correlated with response time but not with accuracy. Neurobiologically, functional connectivity strength rather than activation level of semantic-related areas significantly predicted reading anxiety. Activation of regions (i.e., the right putamen and right precentral gyrus) external to the semantic-related areas positively correlated with reading anxiety levels. These findings suggest that reading anxiety influences adult reading by modulating functional connections of semantic-related areas and brain activation of semantic-unrelated areas. This study provides insights into the neural mechanisms underlying reading anxiety experienced by adult readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hehui Li
- Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Binke Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Jia Luo
- Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Francis DA, Hudson JL, Robidoux S, McArthur GM. Are different reading problems associated with different anxiety types? APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Serje Robidoux
- Macquarie University Centre for Reading, Macquarie University
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Roles of reading anxiety and working memory in reading comprehension in English as a second language. LEARNING AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lindif.2021.102092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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