Peer Perceptions and Liking of Children with Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

Examined three aspects of childhood anxiety and peer liking: (1) whether or not children can detect anxiety in age-mates, (2) the degree to which peer-reported anxiety, self-reported anxiety, and presence of anxiety disorders are associated with peer liking, and (3) whether or not self-reported anxiety and presence of anxiety disorders are associated with peer liking after controlling for peer-reported anxiety. Peer raters (9.5-12.5 years) rated videotaped speech samples of target children with anxiety disorders (AD; 9.5-13 years) and target children without anxiety disorders (NAD; 9.5-13 years). Peer-rated anxiety was positively correlated with target children's self-reported anxiety and was higher among children with AD and children with social phobia (SP). Peer liking was inversely related to peer-reported anxiety and was lower for target children with SP. Target children with SP were liked less regardless of how anxious peers perceived them to be. Peer rater and target child demographics did not moderate the relationship between peer-rated anxiety and peer liking.

Social Anxiety and the School Environment of Adolescents

“…A study by Verduin and Kendall ( 2008 ) suggests that overt nervousness may be one of these other mediators in the link between social anxiety and likeability. The study investigated the effect of anxiety on peer liking in children and young adolescents (9-13 years).…”

Relation of Depression and Anxiety to Self‐ and Peer‐Reported Relational Aggression

“…Depression and anxiety can be comorbid [Burns and Eidelson, 1998;La Greca and Harrison, 2005] making it very likely that each of these two mental health problems covary with poor peer relationships and low social standing in the peer group. However, when compared with the study of peer rejection and depressive symptoms, less is known about the peer relationship correlates of children's symptoms of anxiety [Buckley et al, 2004;Culotta and Goldstein, 2008;Rapee, 2001;Spence and Donovan, 1998;Verduin and Kendall, 2008].…”

Mediational Effects in Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

“…Kingery, Erdley, Marshall, Whitaker, and Reuter (2010) recently reviewed a large number of studies on the peer experiences of youth with anxiety and social withdrawal problems. Studies' findings are consistent in showing that youth with anxiety disorders are less well liked and accepted by peers, have no or few friends, and are typically not involved in extracurricular activities with peers compared to non-clinic referred youth and/or referred youth with other psychological disorders (Beidel et al, 1999;Chansky & Kendall, 1997;Strauss et al, 1998;Strauss et al, 1989;Verduin & Kendall, 2008).…”

“…In terms of social skills, youth with anxiety disorders have been found to have less social skills when compared to youth without anxiety disorders (e.g., Beidel, Turner, & Morris, 1999;Spence, Donovan, & Brechman-Toussaint, 1999;Strauss, Lease, Kazdin, Dulcan, & Last, 1989;Verduin & Kendall, 2008). For example, Strauss et al (1989) reported that referred youth (n = 55; 5 to 17 years) who met now-outdated DSM-III diagnoses for separation anxiety disorder (SAD), overanxious disorder (OAD), both SAD and OAD, or simple phobia (SP) rated themselves, and were rated by their parents, as having significantly less social skills than a non-referred comparison control condition (n = 20).…”