Considering the Clinical Utility of Performance-Based Measures of Childhood Anxiety

Abstract

Examines general issues regarding the clinical utility of performance-based measures and specifically considers the utility of performance measures relevant to childhood anxiety and fear. First, we discuss the limitations of questionnaire and interview measures of childhood anxiety and the ways in which performance-based measures may compensate for or augment the use of such measures. Second, we review the major groups of performance-based measures that are potentially relevant to childhood anxiety and discuss evidence regarding their reliability and validity. Third, in the context of a general discussion of the various ways in which an assessment procedure may have clinical utility, we discuss the extent to which the performance-based techniques reviewed possess utility. Although many of these measures show promise of one or more types of clinical utility, none currently possess sufficient documented utility to warrant their dissemination for clinical use. We conclude by recommending directions for future research to demonstrate and improve the utility of such measures.

Altered Emotional Processing in Pediatric Anxiety, Depression, and Comorbid Anxiety-Depression

“…For instance, alterations in processing positive emotional information has important implications with regard to the ability to shift attention toward positive stimuli, engage in positive activities, or seek positive experiences. Future research is needed on how cognitive-emotional processes associated with childhood anxiety and depression may be included in the evaluation process (Garber & Kaminski, 2000;Vasey & Lonigan, 2000). This may lead to the development of refined clinical interventions that specifically target these disruptions in emotional information processing (e.g., teaching attention control strategies via games to enhance development of higher-order cognition in various emotional contexts or to focus attention on the positive aspects of situations).…”

Social Phobia and Selective Mutism

“…78 Physiologic measures assess the electrocortical system (eg, cortisol reactivity), the cardiovascular system (eg, heart rate variability), electrodermal activity (eg, skin conductance level), and muscle contraction activity (eg, auditory startle reflex), and provide links between autonomic nervous system regulatory activities and behavioral responses. Data are emerging that assesses physiologic arousal in children with SM and SOP; preliminary data found higher arousal levels measured by skin conductance among the SOP group compared with the SM and control groups.…”

Assessment of childhood anxiety

“…Eisen & Silverman, 1991). Although studies have not explored the relevance of BATs to identifying anxiety versus non-anxiety disordered youth according to DSM-IV criteria, children's avoidance behaviors have been found to fluctuate in the expected manner based on treatment (Vasey & Lonigan, 2000).…”