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While exposure therapy has long been recognized as the gold-standard treatment for anxiety disorders in youth, access to exposure-focused treatment remains limited for many families. A parent-coached exposure therapy (PCET) protocol was designed to ameliorate this deficit, as previously discussed within the framework of individual therapy and a 5-day intensive treatment. The present study describes the application of PCET within a weekly group-based protocol and presents outcomes associated with this treatment model as implemented within an outpatient clinic setting. Preliminary uncontrolled data support potential effectiveness through statistically significant improvement in symptoms and functioning from baseline evaluation to post-treatment, while demonstrating the feasibility of providing exposure-focused treatment in an efficient and scalable format. These results further emphasize the flexible nature of this treatment protocol. Limitations and future directions are discussed which promote continued dissemination of and research on exposure-focused treatment protocols, such as PCET, for childhood anxiety disorders. Highlights: Parent-coached exposure therapy was implemented within an outpatient clinic. Parent-coached exposure therapy was effectively executed in weekly group format. Uncontrolled data demonstrated parent-coached exposure therapy to reduce anxiety. Group parent-coached exposure therapy has potential to be efficient and scalable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenging parenting behaviour (CPB) refers to parental encouragement of behaviours where children push their own limits through engaging them engage in safe risks, such as rough-and-tumble play (Bögels & Phares, 2008). Preliminary evidence suggests that CPB reduces the risk of child anxiety however, little is known about the relationship between CPB and specific forms of anxiety disorders and the factors that influence this relationship. The present study aims to examine current maternal and paternal CPB in relation to symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in emerging adulthood, and to identify whether intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and cognitive avoidance (CA) sequentially mediate this relationship. A sample of 190 UK-based adults (aged 18–25) completed a battery of online self-report measures. Greater maternal CPB, but not paternal CPB, was found to predict lower symptoms of SAD, but not GAD. IU and CA did not sequentially mediate the relationship between CPB and symptoms of GAD or SAD. This study suggests that CPB may be associated with certain forms of anxiety disorders such as SAD, but further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms between CPB and anxiety in young people. Highlights: Challenging parenting behaviour was found to have an impact on anxiety disorders in emerging adulthood. Relative to mothers, fathers engaged in more challenging parenting behaviour towards their emerging adult offspring. Emerging adults perceived fathers to challenge them more in competitions, while mothers were more likely to encourage an engagement in novelty. Greater maternal overall challenging parenting behaviour and paternal encouragement of social assertiveness predicted reduced symptoms of social anxiety. Intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive avoidance were individually associated with symptoms of anxiety disorders, yet did not mediate their relationships with challenging parenting behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meaningful peer relationships are developmentally important for adolescents and young adults. Yet trauma histories and stigma around mental illness can impede connection for marginalized youth living with mental health challenges. This study was grounded in relational-cultural theory, which posits that relationships characterized by authenticity and supported vulnerability foster growth; however, in the absence of support for vulnerability, people are likely to relate inauthentically. This qualitative study explored how young people living with mental health challenges navigated issues of authenticity, shame, and vulnerability in peer relationships. As part of a broader feasibility study of an intervention providing services to youth living with mental illness, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 young women, ages 17–20. Participants were ethnically diverse, primarily low-income, and most had histories of child maltreatment. Interviews focused on participants' peer relationships, and were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Coders analyzed transcripts using thematic analysis and interpreted results using relational-cultural theory. While nearly all participants identified a friend or romantic partner as a significant peer, their experiences within these relationships varied considerably. These are described as a continuum of authenticity, along which participants varied in their experiences of supported vulnerability, feelings of shame, and willingness to represent themselves authentically in these relationships. Some participants who lived with mental health challenges and histories of trauma experienced close, supportive relationships with friends and intimate partners. The ability of marginalized youth to navigate issues of authenticity, vulnerability, shame and stigma in their peer relationships is a worthwhile focus for both practitioners and researchers. Highlights: Close peer relationships are protective for youth with mental health challenges, but stigma and trauma can impede connection with others. Despite barriers to connection, some marginalized youth with mental health challenges and trauma histories experience strong, supportive connections with peers. Participants' peer relationship experiences varied in terms of support for vulnerability, authenticity, and feelings of shame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the relationship between child emotional abuse (CEA) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The authors comment on the influence of positive peer relationships in adolescence, including on self-esteem, academic performance, and self-worth. They also examine the impacts of negative peer relationships on youth. A study of adolescents with negative peer relationships and the frequency of NSSI is also detailed.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to self-inflicted physical injury without suicidal intent. NSSI is particularly common in forensic settings and associated with several psychosocial concerns, coping responses, diagnoses, and functions, but little information is available regarding NSSI in adjudicated male adolescents. The present study examined the frequency and types of NSSI among adjudicated male adolescents (n = 103) and assessed the relationships between NSSI history, psychosocial concerns, coping responses, diagnoses, and functions within this population. Approximately two-thirds (66%) reported NSSI history. Participants with NSSI history reported poorer social adaptation and greater alienation and boredom, aggression, and emotional lability than controls. Youth with high-frequency NSSI were also more likely to utilize emotional discharge as an unhealthy coping response than controls. In addition, participants with high-frequency NSSI were more likely than controls to meet criteria for a mood or anxiety disorder. Function of NSSI primarily surrounded anxiety reduction/affect regulation, punishment, dissociation reduction, and social/sensation-seeking. NSSI appears to be prevalent among male adjudicated youths, and the findings suggest that the relationship between NSSI history, psychosocial concerns, coping responses, and functions is nuanced and could inform more calibrated assessment and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychometric properties of the German Self-Report and Parent Report Rating Scale for Anxiety Disorders (SRS-AD and PRS-AD), and a shortened teacher version of the PRS-AD (TRS-AD) in a large clinical sample. Data were collected from 585 children, adolescents and young adults with psychiatric disorders (aged 6-21 years), 821 parents and 378 teachers. Factorial validity, reliability and discriminating validity of the scales were examined and the agreement between different informants was assessed. Analyses were performed in the complete sample including a wide range of different psychiatric disorders as well as in a subsample of children, adolescents and young adults with anxiety disorders. Confirmatory factor analyses mostly supported a model with first-order factors according to the subscales and a second-order overall anxiety factor. Only for the SRS-AD analysed in the sample of participants with anxiety disorders, the results did not clearly favour a first-order solution with correlated factors according to the subscales or the second-order solution adopted for the other questionnaires. Internal consistencies for the total scale and subscales were mostly satisfactory. Significant mean differences between anxious and non-anxious participants were found for the mean total scores of the SRS-AD and PRS-AD, but not for the TRS-AD. The informant agreement was low-to-moderate. We concluded that the SRS-AD, PRS-AD and TRS-AD demonstrate satisfactory psychometric properties for use with clinically-referred children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood maltreatment is a key social determinant that potentially results in long-lasting psychological consequences in adulthood. This study examined the link between childhood maltreatment (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, and exposure to violence) and psychological distress (i.e., depression and anxiety) among Asian-American women. The moderating effect of perceived discrimination on the association was also investigated. This study utilized self-reported data from 1022 Asian-American women aged 18-65 (Mage = 38.51) who participated in the National Latino and Asian American Survey. A series of multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to detect the association between childhood maltreatment, sociodemographics and acculturation, and psychological distress for Asian-American women. Results indicated that Asian women who experienced sexual abuse and were exposed to violence during childhood had a significantly greater likelihood of both depressive and anxiety disorders, while childhood physical abuse was significantly associated with a depressive disorder, but not an anxiety disorder (Model 1). In Model 2, marital status and perceived discrimination were significant determinants of psychological distress. Respondents who were never married had a greater likelihood of depression compared to those who were married or cohabited. Also, women who perceived discrimination were more likely to have both depressive and anxiety disorders. In Model 3, perceived discrimination was a significant moderator on the association between exposure to violence and an anxiety disorder. From a clinical perspective, identifying the effects of social determinants on mental health disorders and providing proper services and intervention can be key to improving an individual’s well-being and social stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though early fearful temperament is a robust predictor of anxiety disorder symptoms it remains unclear what links these two factors. Cognitive theories of anxiety have recently implicated individual differences in attentional control and worry as mediators of this relation; however, this pathway remains largely untested in youth. The current study examined the associations between fearful temperament, attentional control, worry, and anxiety during a period critical for the development of attentional control and worry. Participants were 152 parent-child dyads between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Parents completed measures of child temperament and executive function, and children completed measures of worry and anxiety symptoms. A serial multiple mediator analysis was conducted with PROCESS for SPSS to examine a cognitive pathway between temperament and anxiety in this cross-sectional sample. Overall the data supported the study hypotheses. Attentional control and worry serially mediated the relation between temperament and anxiety, with worry mediating the relation between attentional control and anxiety. The study also tested two reversed mediational models and found that the directionality in the proposed model was unique. These findings suggest that children who are more fearful are less able to control their attention. Among these children, worry may emerge as a low effort cognitive process, which contributes to increased anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the nature of latent shared etiological elements in 398 Italian twin pairs aged 8-17, explaining covariation between high levels of anxiety symptoms and low social competence. We found significant negative correlations between Child Behaviour Checklist/6-18 Social Competence Scale and three (Panic Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Social Anxiety) out of five Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders anxiety subscales. Results from causal analysis seem to exclude the hypothesis that co-occurrence between Anxiety Symptoms and Social Competence could be due to a direct phenotypic effect of one trait upon the other. Multivariate analysis suggested that both genetic and shared environmental components contribute to the phenotypic correlation between Social Competence and Anxiety Subscales, whereas unique environmental factors have a negligible influence. This means that both common genetic and shared environmental causal factors contribute simultaneously to increase risk of having low Social Competence and high Anxiety scores. In particular, covariation with Social Competence seems to be influenced by both genetic and shared environmental causal components in Separation Anxiety and Social Anxiety, whereas environmental factors have an irrelevant influence for covariation with Panic/Somatic Anxiety Subscale. Our results support the adoption of a broader view of the relationships between psychopathology and diminished social competences in childhood for both clinicians and educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety disorders are one of the most widespread psychological diseases in adolescence, which may lead to impairment in several areas of life and has been demonstrated a risk factor of other psychiatric disorders. One of the most widely used self-report measures to assess multiple symptoms of anxiety in youth is the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS). Literature suggests that anxiety symptoms vary across cultures to some extent. It has been found that individuals from collectivistic culture report higher levels of anxiety disorders than those from individualistic culture. Poland is a country whose culture was traditionally collectivistic; but now Poland is undergoing social and economic system transformation, which is taking it closer to individualistic culture. However, SCAS has never been validated in Polish samples, and thus the current study aimed (1) to assess the psychometric properties (structural validity and reliability) of SCAS in a sample of 303 Polish adolescents, (2) to examine gender differences, (3) to test the divergent validity of SCAS by relating it to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and (4) to compare the mean levels with Chinese (collectivistic) and Italian (individualistic) samples. The results confirmed that the Polish version of SCAS showed good reliability and validity. Polish girls showed higher physical injury and generalized anxiety/overanxious symptoms than boys. Furthermore, Polish adolescents reported higher levels of anxiety than Italian youth but lower levels of anxiety than their Chinese counterparts. Implications for professionals and researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined anxiety in preschool children within a South-African context. The parents and teachers of 101 South African children aged 2 to 6 years completed measures of children's anxiety-prone temperament (behavioral inhibition) and anxiety disorders symptoms. Parents and teachers of 59 children could be re-approached one year later, with the request to fill in both scales again, while parents at that time also completed a measure of parental overprotection. Results indicated that, compared with normative scores collected in Western countries, young South African children displayed relatively high levels of anxiety-proneness and anxiety disorders symptoms, although this cultural difference could only be demonstrated when using the parentreport data. Further, on both occasions there were substantial and positive correlations between children's behavioral inhibition and anxiety symptoms. Behavioral inhibition and anxiety symptoms, in particular when assessed by parent report, appeared to be fairly stable during the one-year period, and we found only tentative support for the idea that behavioral inhibition on time 1 increased the risk for anxiety symptoms on time 2. Finally, a cross-sectional analysis of the data collected on time 2 revealed a positive correlation between overprotection and children's anxiety symptoms as well as a marginally significant interaction of behavioral inhibition and overprotection on children's anxiety symptoms, indicating that in particular the combination of high behavioral inhibition and high overprotection tended to be associated with the highest anxiety levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the role of anxiety sensitivity as an explanatory variable in the link between two temperamental dimensions (i.e., behavioral inhibition and negative affect) and anxiety disorder symptom severity in a sample of children with anxiety disorders. Forty-four children (52 % African American) between 8 and 12 years of age and their mothers participated in this study. An assessment battery consisting of diagnostic interviews, questionnaires, and behavioral assessment of behavioral inhibition was administered. Findings revealed that anxiety sensitivity was a significant explanatory variable linking child self-reports of behavioral inhibition and negative affect to anxiety disorder symptom severity. For parent-completed measures, only direct effects of behavioral inhibition on anxiety disorder symptom severity were found. The clinical implications of our findings, including the importance and feasibility of anxiety sensitivity and behavioral inhibition assessments as part of routine clinical care of children with anxiety disorders are discussed, along with the limitations of our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the effectiveness of an individualized case formulation-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for youths (9-17 years) with anxiety disorders and their parents after unsuccessful treatment with a manualized group CBT program (the Cool Kids). Out of 106 participant youths assessed at a 3-month follow-up after manualized CBT, 24 were classified as non-responders on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI-I), and 14 of 16 non-responders with anxiety as their primary complaint accepted an offer for additional individual family CBT. The treatment was short-term ( M sessions = 11.14) and based on a revised case formulation that was presented to and agreed upon by the families. At post-treatment, nine youths (64.3 %) were classified as responders on the CGI-I and six (42.9 %) were free of all anxiety diagnoses, while at the 3-month follow-up 11 (78.6 %) had responded to treatment and nine (64.3 %) had remitted from all anxiety diagnoses. Large effect sizes from pre- to post-individualized treatment were found on youths' anxiety symptoms, self-reported ( d = 1.05) as well as mother-reported ( d = .81). There was further progress at the 3-month follow-up, while treatment gains remained stable from post-treatment to the 1-year follow-up. Results indicate that non-responders to manualized group CBT for youth anxiety disorders can be helped by additional CBT targeting each family's specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ample research documents a link between parent and child anxiety, yet little work has examined parents' and children's emotional reactivity for their association with parent-child anxiety transmission. Using a community sample, here we evaluate parents' subjective emotional reactions to imagining their children feeling afraid and examine (1) their link with parental anxiety and (2) whether this reactivity moderates the association between parent anxiety and children's subjective and physiological reactivity [resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)]. Finally, we evaluate whether these two indices of children's reactivity act as indirect effects between parental anxiety and child anxiety, and whether this association is moderated by parents' reactivity to the child's fear (moderated mediation). School-aged children ( N = 75) and their primary caregivers reported on their anxiety symptoms. Parents and children then completed parallel paradigms in which they imagined the child feeling afraid and reported on their reactivity. Children's resting RSA was assessed as they watched a nature video. The association between parental anxiety and children's subjective and physiological reactivity was moderated by parents' reactivity, such that only when parents reported high reactivity was there a significant association between parental anxiety and children's self-reported and physiological reactivity. Further, children's physiological reactivity acted as an indirect effect in the link between parents' and children's anxiety symptoms, but only for parents who reported high levels of reactivity to child fear. Results are discussed in terms of their contribution to the literature on parent-child relationships and anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a sensitive period for the development of depressive-anxious symptomatology. The practice of family rituals and perceived social connectedness have been indicated as protective factors for adolescents´ adjustment, however the existing empirical research is still scarce. The present research examined the relationships among family ritual meaning, social connectedness, anxiety and depression among Portuguese students. A total of 248 students (52.8 % female) aged between 15 and 20 years old ( M = 16.27, SD = 1.22) participated in this study. The participants completed self-report measures (Family Ritual Questionnaire, Social Connectedness Scale-Revised, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Results showed that family ritual meaning was positively related to social connectedness and negatively related to depression. Social connectedness was negatively associated with anxiety and depression. Gender was only associated with anxiety, and age wasn't significantly correlated with any of the variables. Mediation analysis demonstrated that family ritual meaning was negatively linked to both depression ( indirect effect = −.07; CI = −.13/−.02) and anxiety symptoms ( indirect effect = −.06; CI = −.11/−.01) via social connectedness. These results clarified one of the possible paths through which family ritual meaning influences depressive-anxious symptomatology in adolescence. Taking into account the protective role of family ritual meaning and social connectedness, future interventions can be designed in order to reduce and prevent anxiety and depression in this particular developmental stage. Contributions and limitations of this study are presented along with suggestions for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies investigating the role of parenting behavior in the intergenerational transmission of anxiety from parents to children have focused on mothers. However, recent research suggests that mothers and fathers may parent differently and may differentially affect the development of child anxiety. Theoretical models propose that anxious parents engage in more anxiety-provoking and less anxiety-reducing parenting behavior than non-anxious parents. However, findings are inconsistent, possibly because most studies have not differentiated between anxiety disorders. Therefore, it remains unclear which specific anxiety disorders are linked to parenting behavior. This study examined (1) whether symptoms of specific parental anxiety disorders are linked to overinvolvement and challenging parenting behavior towards infants; and (2) the differential relationship of maternal/paternal overinvolvement and challenging parenting behavior with infant anxiety. Parents of 81 infants (10-15 months) completed the Overinvolvement and Challenging parenting behavior (CPB) scales of the Comprehensive Parenting Behavior Questionnaire, the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-Adult version, and the Fear scale of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. Linear regressions showed that mothers' generalized anxiety disorder symptoms were associated with less CPB and more overinvolvement, whereas fathers' social anxiety disorder symptoms were associated with less CPB and more overinvolvement. Moreover, paternal, but not maternal, CPB was associated with less infant anxiety, and overinvolvement with more infant anxiety. Findings suggest that (1) different dimensions of paternal/maternal anxiety are linked to their parenting behavior; (2) maternal/paternal parenting behaviors are differentially associated with infant anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on characteristics of the family environment that may influence the relationship between hurricane exposure and ataques de nervios in Puerto Rican children and youth. Approximately 18 months after Hurricane Georges hit Puerto Rico in 1998, participants were randomly selected based on a probability household sample using 1990 US Census block groups. Caregivers and children were interviewed about past year and lifetime experience of ataques de nervios, hurricane exposure, and the family environment in Spanish. Areas of the family environment assessed include parent-child relationship quality, parent-child involvement, parental monitoring, discipline, and parents' relationship quality. Structural equation models were estimated for parents and children, and by age group. For children (4-10 years old, N = 582), hurricane exposure was directly related to lifetime experience of ataques, but not for past year experience of ataques. However, for children, none of the family variables had a significant mediating role in the relation between hurricane exposure and either past year or lifetime experience of ataques; rather, parent-child involvement decreased risk for lifetime and past year ataques. For youth (11-17 years old, N = 569), per youth report, positive discipline mediated the hurricane exposure to lifetime experience of ataques relationship, whereas parents' relationship quality mediated the relationship between exposure and past year experience of ataques. Hurricane exposure decreased positive discipline and parents' relationship quality, and positive discipline and parents' relationship quality decreased risk for ataques. Per parent report, parent-child involvement decreased risk for past year or lifetime experience of ataques. Implications for post-disaster mental health recovery efforts are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of studies examining mental health outcomes among the offspring of depressed individuals have only examined the influence of mothers. We examined the influence of maternal and paternal depression on rates of offspring depression [major depressive disorder (MDD)], anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, agoraphobia, and panic disorder), and substance use disorder (alcohol abuse and dependence, substance abuse and dependence). Diagnostic interviews conducted with 220 offspring of both high and low risk parents (high risk defined as having a biological parent with MDD) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. We also conducted exploratory analyses examining how maternal and paternal depression influenced age of disorder onset among offspring. For offspring depression and anxiety, the effect of having a father with depression paralleled the effect of having a mother with depression. Maternal MDD resulted in lower levels of offspring functioning when compared to offspring of non-depressed mothers. Maternal MDD also resulted in an earlier age of onset among offspring. Clinical attention to both maternal and paternal depression through family intervention is warranted and prevention efforts would be the most fruitful if offered no later than middle childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety symptoms are one of the most common diseases in youth worldwide. However, there is still scant literature on the role that cross-cultural factors may play in the expression and development of anxiety. Our study is aimed to compare anxiety symptoms in community based Chinese and Italian adolescents using the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS). In addition to the SCAS, the 3416 adolescents (13-18 years old) involved in the study, filled in the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). A multi-group factor analysis confirmed the adequacy of a 6-factor inter-correlated model across the countries. Results supported the convergent validity between the SCAS and the internalizing behaviours and the divergent validity between the SCAS and the externalizing problems, as measured by the SDQ. Chinese adolescents reported higher anxiety symptoms than Italian ones and girls scored higher than boys. No age differences were found. In addition, a comparison between the current research and previous studies conducted in China and Italy was carried out, showing few significant differences among the studies concerning the Italian samples. However, our Chinese adolescents reported greater anxiety symptoms compared to previous studies. Results support the use of the SCAS as a potentially valuable tool for assessing anxiety symptoms in both countries. The discussion highlighted the importance to consider cultural, as well as sub-cultural issues as to promote the understanding and prevention of anxiety symptoms in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family accommodation is a pervasive problem among families of youth with anxiety disorders that frequently perpetuates anxiety symptoms and oppositional behaviors occurring in response to anxiety. Unfortunately, this problem is addressed all too infrequently in the literature regarding empirically supported treatments for anxiety disorders. The purpose of this report is to present a case of severe family accommodation for a young child with anxiety and oppositional behaviors. This case highlights the detriment of family factors such as accommodation, maternal distress, and anxious modeling as well as provides strategies for adapting an empirically supported treatment protocol (i.e. cognitive-behavioral therapy) to address such family factors. Behavioral and cognitive behavioral techniques, described within, were modified and utilized for treatment of a 6-year-old with significant anxiety symptoms. With adaptations, despite complicating family factors, behavioral treatment was successful in alleviating clinical symptoms of anxiety in a young child. This case exemplar suggests that treatment adaptation can produce successful outcomes in terms of symptom reduction; however, for circumstances in which families are particularly challenging, full remission may not be achieved should family accommodation fail to be eradicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little research has examined familial aggregation of different mental health problems and distinguished between mothers and fathers as well as daughters and sons in large community samples. The purpose of the study was to examine associations between mental health problems in mothers versus fathers and internalizing problems in adolescent daughters versus sons. This cross-sectional study used data from a Norwegian community study (the HUNT3 study) consisting of 5,732 adolescents (ages 13-18) who had one (N = 2,503) or both parents (N = 3,229) participating. In adolescents, we measured subjective well-being (SWB), self-esteem, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and social anxiety, and in parents, symptoms of anxiety and depression, alcohol abuse, and maternal eating problems. We analyzed data with structural equation modeling. Findings showed that both maternal and paternal anxiety and depression were significantly associated with SWB, self-esteem, anxiety/depression, and social anxiety in both daughters and sons. The results indicated that associations between these problems were not dependent on parental or offspring sex. Parental alcohol abuse and maternal eating problems were not associated with any of the measured mental health problems in adolescents. Internalizing mental health problems appear aggregated in families, but do not seem to be affected by parental or offspring sex. When clinicians meet parents or adolescents displaying mental distress, it may be beneficial to assess the mental status of the entire family in order to evaluate the need for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although numerous studies have documented the concurrent association between parental overcontrol and child anxiety, few have examined overcontrol for its prospective association with children's anxiety. In this study we evaluate whether parental overcontrol prospectively predicts children's anxiety symptoms across the transition to early adolescence (H1), whether parental overcontrol mediates the association between parent and child anxiety (H2), and whether parental overcontrol mediates the association between child avoidant coping and child anxiety (H3). School-aged children ( N = 102) and their mothers and fathers completed this two wave study. At Time 1, each family member reported on his/her own anxiety symptoms (children: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children; parents: Symptom Checklist-90 Revised), parents reported on their overcontrolling parenting behavior (USC Parental Overcontrol Scale) and children reported on their avoidant coping (Children's Coping Strategies Checklist- Revision 1). Children reported on their anxiety symptoms two-and-a-half years later using the same scale. Results indicated that having at least one parent who reported highly overcontrolling parenting was associated with persistent anxiety symptoms across this developmental transition. When both mother and father overcontrol were evaluated in the same models, only maternal overcontrol acted as an indirect effect explaining the prospective associations (H2) between maternal and child anxiety and (H3) between child avoidant coping and child anxiety. Our study provides evidence for the prospective association between parental overcontrol and child anxiety and suggests that maternal overcontrol is a mechanism underlying the association between maternal and child anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have examined differences between younger and older children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The current study examined differences between children with GAD who were younger than the typical age of onset (i.e., ages 7-9) and children with GAD who were within the age range for typical age of onset (i.e., ages 10-13). These groups, defined as 'younger' versus 'older,' did not differ on demographic variables, but the older group had lower intelligence quotients. At the same time, mean values for both groups fell within the average range. Older children with GAD generally reported similar levels of worry as younger children with the exception of greater school-related worry, trouble paying attention, and getting upset easily. Younger children reported greater harm avoidance than older children. Parent reports did not generally differ between groups with the exception of greater perfectionism in younger children and greater school competence issues for older children. Teachers reported greater learning problems and less happiness in older children. Overall, limited differences were found on GAD severity and impairment, but some differences were found on cognitive and school functioning variables (e.g., intelligence, school-related worry, learning problems, school competence) and parent-child agreement on worry. Further, such differences did not appear to be accounted for by comorbid disorders or other variables. Overall, these findings suggest that GAD may be associated with different characteristics in younger and older children. Future studies, particularly prospective studies, are needed to understand the development of GAD and associated impairments such as academic functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on the etiology of anxiety disorders has implicated temperament as a significant factor. It has been theorized that the expression of temperament may be influenced by cognitive variables, particularly executive function. The current study tested a mediational model to investigate the combined and separate effects of childhood temperament and executive function, specifically the ability to shift cognitive sets, in the relation between parent and child anxiety. Participants were 102 parent-child dyads recruited from the community. Children were between the ages of 7 and 10 years old (60.7 % male, 93.2 % Caucasian) and most parents were mothers (91.2 %). Parents completed measures of parent anxiety, child temperament, and child executive function. Children completed a measure of child anxiety. Overall the data fit the model well. Further analyses indicated that temperament and executive function exerted individual and combined effects on the relation between parent and child anxiety. Executive function was also found to mediate the relation between temperament and child anxiety. The results suggest that separately temperament and executive function mediate the link between parent and child anxiety. Also, executive function may mediate the effect temperament has on child anxiety. Together, temperament and executive function may represent a specific pathway of risk, by affecting each other and the relation each has on the familial transmission of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to traditional cultural values and a rapidly expanding economy, Mainland Chinese adolescents commonly experience high levels of pressure from their parents to perform well in school, which may have negative effects on adolescents' psychological functioning. Data from 997 students in four Beijing high schools were used to examine relationships of Chinese parents' warmth and parental pressure regarding students' academic work with the adolescents' levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The study also tested whether a parent's level of warmth can moderate negative effects on adolescent symptoms of the parent's own academic pressure on the adolescent, as well as negative effects of the other parent's pressure. Gender differences in associations between parenting behavior and adolescent functioning were explored. Both female and male adolescents rated mothers as displaying higher warmth and pressure than their fathers, but although both parents' behaviors were associated with children's mental health, overall fathers' parenting (especially academic pressure) had stronger associations than mothers' parenting with adolescents' depression and anxiety. Greater parental warmth generally reduced the association between that parent's academic pressure and adolescents' psychopathology symptoms, but one parent's warmth had mixed impacts on effects of the other's pressure. Implications of the findings for fostering adolescent mental health in the context of the Chinese concept of 'training' children to be academically successful are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]