Abstract
This study investigated whether close friends affect each other's fear responses (fear beliefs and avoidance) when they discuss fear-related issues together. Children (N = 242) aged 7–10 years were first presented with ambiguous and threatening information about two novel animals respectively, after which their fear responses towards each animal were assessed (T1). Next, dyads of close friends had a discussion about their feelings regarding the animals, and their fear responses were measured again (T2). Results showed that children influenced each other's cognitions following the discussion; from T1 to T2 their fear responses became more similar and close friends' fear responses at T1 significantly predicted children's fear responses at T2. Gender pair type predicted change in children's fear responses over time. Children in boy-boy pairs showed a significant increase in fear responses following the discussion; their fear level became more in line with that of other gender pairs at T2, while those in girl-girl pairs showed a significant decrease in their fear beliefs, at least when threatening information was given. Differences in anxiety level between close friends did not affect change in fear responses over time. Altogether, the results indicate that children may affect each other's fears.
Highlights
Fears are highly prevalent in childhood, and are usually mild and benign (Gullone, 2000)
Children in boy-‐boy pairs showed a significant increase in fear responses following the discussion; their fear level became more in line with that of other gender pairs at T2, while those in girl-‐girl pairs showed a significant decrease in their fear beliefs, at least when threatening information was given
The present study is the first to examine whether close friends respond to verbal information about novel stimuli in a similar way to one another and how they affect each other’s fears during discussion
Summary
Fears are highly prevalent in childhood, and are usually mild and benign (Gullone, 2000). Normative fears include fear of ghosts and the supernatural in early childhood (Bauer, 1976), fear of animals in middle childhood, and fear of self-‐ injury as well as socio-‐evaluative apprehension in late childhood and adolescence (Muris & Field, 2010). These fears usually diminish over time, a substantial minority of children go on to develop significant fears that interfere with their daily functioning. Phobias can continue into adulthood; retrospective interviews with phobic adults indicate that certain fears, such as animal phobias, first developed when the individuals were as young as 7 years old (Öst, 1987)
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