Parental internalizing symptoms as predictors of anxiety symptoms in clinic-referred children

Krister Westlye Fjermestad,Einar R Heiervang,Ingvar Bjelland,Bente Storm Mowatt Haugland,Odd E Havik,Christina Lium,Gro Janne Henningsen Wergeland

doi:10.21307/sjcapp-2020-003

Abstract

Background:Mothers’ and fathers’ internalizing symptoms may influence children’s anxiety symptoms differently.Objective:To explore the relationship between parental internalizing symptoms and children’s anxiety symptoms in a clinical sample of children with anxiety disorders.Method:The sample was recruited through community mental health clinics for a randomized controlled anxiety treatment trial. At pre-intervention, children (n = 182), mothers (n = 165), and fathers (n = 72) reported children’s anxiety symptoms. Mothers and fathers also reported their own internalizing symptoms. The children were aged 8 to 15 years (Mage = 11.5 years, SD = 2.1, 52.2% girls) and all had a diagnosis of separation anxiety, social phobia, and/or generalized anxiety disorder. We examined parental internalizing symptoms as predictors of child anxiety symptoms in multiple regression models.Results:Both mother and father rated internalizing symptoms predicted children’s self-rated anxiety levels (adj. R2 = 22.0%). Mother-rated internalizing symptoms predicted mother-rated anxiety symptoms in children (adj. R2 = 7.0%). Father-rated internalizing symptoms did not predict father-rated anxiety in children.Conclusions:Clinicians should incorporate parental level of internalizing symptoms in their case conceptualizations.

Highlights

Anxiety disorders are prevalent among children and may have long-term negative impact on individuals’ personal, social, and academic functioning [1]
In terms of parental disorders, the prevalence of social phobia (SOP) and separation anxiety was found to be higher among children of parents with panic disorder and depression compared to controls [5]
We examined the relationship between parent internalizing symptoms and child anxiety symptoms in a clinical sample of children with anxiety disorders

Summary

Introduction

Anxiety disorders are prevalent among children and may have long-term negative impact on individuals’ personal, social, and academic functioning [1]. One potentially modifiable factor found to influence children’s anxiety symptom levels is parental internalizing symptoms, defined as symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. In terms of parental disorders, the prevalence of social phobia (SOP) and separation anxiety was found to be higher among children of parents with panic disorder and depression compared to controls [5]. Similar results were reported in a sample of children with separation anxiety disorder (SAD), whose parents had more anxiety and mood disorders than parents to children without any mental disorders [7]. Objective: To explore the relationship between parental internalizing symptoms and children’s anxiety symptoms in a clinical sample of children with anxiety disorders. Results: Both mother and father rated internalizing symptoms predicted children’s self-rated anxiety levels Conclusions: Clinicians should incorporate parental level of internalizing symptoms in their case conceptualizations

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion