Patterns of anxiety symptoms in toddlers and preschool-age children: Evidence of early differentiation

Abstract

The degree to which young children’s anxiety symptoms differentiate according to diagnostic groupings is under-studied, especially in children below the age of 4 years. Theoretical (confirmatory factor analysis, CFA) and statistical (exploratory factor analysis, EFA) analytical methods were employed to test the hypothesis that anxiety symptoms among 2–3-year-old children from a non-clinical, representative sample would differentiate in a manner consistent with current diagnostic nosology. Anxiety symptom items were selected from two norm-referenced parent-report scales of child behavior. CFA and EFA results suggested that anxiety symptoms aggregate in a manner consistent with generalized anxiety, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, separation anxiety, and social phobia. Multi-dimensional models achieved good model fit and fit the data significantly better than undifferentiated models. Results from EFA and CFA methods were predominantly consistent and supported the grouping of early childhood anxiety symptoms into differentiated, diagnostic-specific categories.

Biobehavioral Indicators of Social Fear in Young Children With Fragile X Syndrome

“…Central to these efforts is the need for a developmental framework that recognizes the unique behavioral and affective presentation of anxiety symptoms in very young children and how these features vary over time in a dynamic and transactional manner. Despite these challenges, recent work provides evidence that anxiety symptoms can be identified in toddlers and preschool-age children (Mian, Godoy, Briggs-Gowan, & Carter, 2012) and that temperamental vulnerabilities such as behavioral inhibition—characterized by physiological hyperarousal (Barlow, 2002), withdrawal from strangers, and fear in unfamiliar situations (Biederman et al, 2001)—are risk factors in the later development of anxiety disorders.…”

Targeted Prevention of Childhood Anxiety: Engaging Parents in an Underserved Community

“…Seven items from the ITSEA were added to supplement the Anxiety Risk subscale. Supplemental items were selected if: (1) if they had high factor loadings representing differentiated anxiety symptoms (Mian et al 2011), or (2) or if they were significantly correlated with anxiety symptoms at age 8 in a longitudinal sample (Mian et al 2012). Example items include: seems nervous, tense, or fearful; Worries a lot or is very serious.…”

Social competence of Mandarin-speaking immigrant children in childcare

“…First, Chinese immigrant parents should be aware that starting childcare at an appropriate early age may be beneficial to their children as longer attendance in childcare reduces anxiety level and facilitates functional communication. Second, given anxiety in childhood predicts depression, externalising behaviours and other psychiatric disorders later in adolescence and adulthood (Bittner et al, 2007;Mian, Godoy, Briggs-Gowan, & Carter, 2012), educators need to be aware that these young children may need additional care and necessary intervention. Third, adults also need to be aware that social competence can vary by gender and boys may need more appropriate discipline and caring strategies as they tend to display more externalising behaviours.…”