Abstract
While a number of factors have been linked with excessive anxiety (e.g., parenting, child temperament), the impact of stressful life events remains under-studied. Moreover, much of this literature has examined bivariate associations rather than testing more complex theoretical models. The current study extends the literature on life events and child anxiety by testing a theory-driven meditational model. Specifically, one child factor (child cognitions/locus of control), two parent factors (parent psychopathology and parenting stress), and two parent–child relationship factors (parent–child dysfunctional interaction and parenting style) were examined as mediators in the relationship between stressful life events and severity of child anxiety. One hundred and thirty anxious parents and their nonanxious, high-risk children (ages ranged from 7 to 13 years) participated in this study. Results indicated that levels of parenting stress, parental anxious rearing, and dysfunctional parent–child interaction mediated the association between stressful life events and severity of anxiety symptoms. Child cognition and parent psychopathology factors failed to emerge as mediators. Findings provide support for more complex theoretical models linking life events and child anxiety and suggest potential targets of intervention.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 23-34 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Child Psychiatry and Human Development |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 1 2016 |
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Keywords
- Child anxiety
- Parent stress
- Stressful life events
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
Cite this
Stressful Life Events and Child Anxiety : Examining Parent and Child Mediators. / Platt, Rheanna; Williams, Sarah R.; Ginsburg, Golda S.
In: Child Psychiatry and Human Development, Vol. 47, No. 1, 01.02.2016, p. 23-34.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Stressful Life Events and Child Anxiety
T2 - Examining Parent and Child Mediators
AU - Platt, Rheanna
AU - Williams, Sarah R.
AU - Ginsburg, Golda S.
PY - 2016/2/1
Y1 - 2016/2/1
N2 - While a number of factors have been linked with excessive anxiety (e.g., parenting, child temperament), the impact of stressful life events remains under-studied. Moreover, much of this literature has examined bivariate associations rather than testing more complex theoretical models. The current study extends the literature on life events and child anxiety by testing a theory-driven meditational model. Specifically, one child factor (child cognitions/locus of control), two parent factors (parent psychopathology and parenting stress), and two parent–child relationship factors (parent–child dysfunctional interaction and parenting style) were examined as mediators in the relationship between stressful life events and severity of child anxiety. One hundred and thirty anxious parents and their nonanxious, high-risk children (ages ranged from 7 to 13 years) participated in this study. Results indicated that levels of parenting stress, parental anxious rearing, and dysfunctional parent–child interaction mediated the association between stressful life events and severity of anxiety symptoms. Child cognition and parent psychopathology factors failed to emerge as mediators. Findings provide support for more complex theoretical models linking life events and child anxiety and suggest potential targets of intervention.
AB - While a number of factors have been linked with excessive anxiety (e.g., parenting, child temperament), the impact of stressful life events remains under-studied. Moreover, much of this literature has examined bivariate associations rather than testing more complex theoretical models. The current study extends the literature on life events and child anxiety by testing a theory-driven meditational model. Specifically, one child factor (child cognitions/locus of control), two parent factors (parent psychopathology and parenting stress), and two parent–child relationship factors (parent–child dysfunctional interaction and parenting style) were examined as mediators in the relationship between stressful life events and severity of child anxiety. One hundred and thirty anxious parents and their nonanxious, high-risk children (ages ranged from 7 to 13 years) participated in this study. Results indicated that levels of parenting stress, parental anxious rearing, and dysfunctional parent–child interaction mediated the association between stressful life events and severity of anxiety symptoms. Child cognition and parent psychopathology factors failed to emerge as mediators. Findings provide support for more complex theoretical models linking life events and child anxiety and suggest potential targets of intervention.
KW - Child anxiety
KW - Parent stress
KW - Stressful life events
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84954395116&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10578-015-0540-4
DO - 10.1007/s10578-015-0540-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 25772523
AN - SCOPUS:84954395116
VL - 47
SP - 23
EP - 34
JO - Child Psychiatry and Human Development
JF - Child Psychiatry and Human Development
SN - 0009-398X
IS - 1
ER -