State-Trait Anxiety Inventory For Children Research Articles

Acceptability of a Serious Game About Proton Radiotherapy Designed for Children Aged 5 to 14 Years and Its Potential Impact on Perceived Anxiety: Feasibility and Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Children who are going to undergo radiotherapy have displayed fear and anxiety. Therefore, a web-based serious game was developed as a psychological preparation to investigate if it could affect anxiety levels. In an earlier stage, children with experience of radiotherapy had been part of the developmental process. The study aimed to investigate the feasibility in terms of reach, usability, and acceptability of a serious game about proton radiotherapy and to pilot that it did not increase anxiety levels in children aged 5 to 14 years undergoing radiotherapy. The design was a randomized controlled pilot trial with predefined feasibility criteria. In total, 28 children were assessed for eligibility, and 23 met the inclusion criteria. They were consecutively randomized into 1 of 2 study arms. One child was excluded after randomization. If randomized into arm 1, the children received the intervention before treatment started. Children in arm 2 were treated as controls. Questionnaires with fixed answers were used to assess anxiety levels (an adapted version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children) and experiences of gameplay (an adapted version of Player Experience of Need Satisfaction [PENS]). The children were asked to answer questionnaires at 5 different measurement occasions during their radiotherapy treatment. In arm 1, age ranged from 5 to 13 (mean 8.4, SD 2.4) years. In arm 2, age ranged from 5 to 11 (mean 7.6, SD 2.3) years. The sample consisted of 15 girls and 7 boys. The feasibility criterion that the children should play the game for 20 minutes or more was not met. Mean playtime for children in arm 1 was 32.1 (SD 23.8) minutes, where 18 children had played for at least 15 minutes. The criterion that 70% (n=16) or more of the participants should return all of the questionnaires was not met; however, more than 73% (n=16) returned the PENS questionnaires. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children was returned by 73% (n=16) on day 0, 77% (n=17) on day 1, 82% (n=18) on day 3, 82% (n=18) on day 6, and 86% (n=19) on day 15. All feasibility criteria set for the study were not met, suggesting that adaptions need to be made if a future study is to be undertaken. Further, the analysis revealed that there was no indication that playing increased the children's self-reported anxiety. The PENS questionnaire adapted for children showed promising results regarding player satisfaction when using the serious game. When studying children with severe conditions and young age, 5 measurement occasions seemed to be too many. Measuring both player satisfaction or experience and knowledge transfer would be preferable in future studies.

<p>Self-concept, anxiety and academic performance in adolescents with ADHD: a comparative study</p>

Introduction. The main objective of the study is to compare the anxiety levels, self-concept and academic performance of a group of adolescents with ADHD with an age-matched group without the disorder. Method. The sample consisted of a total of 93 adolescents (46 with ADHD and 47 without ADHD) with a mean age of 13.31 years (11-16 age range). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH), the Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire (AF5), and their grade point average were used in the evaluation. Results. The results in primary education, indicated lower scores in social and physical self-concept and academic performance, and higher levels of state anxiety in adolescents with ADHD. The differences observed in secondary education were only in academic performance. Discussion and Conclusion. Based on the results, intervention strategies are proposed to improve academic skills and those related to self-concept in adolescents with ADHD.

A Comparative Study of Meditation Play and Art Therapy Programs Applying MMPT-Focusing on Child Anxiety, Mindfulness, and Self-Regulation

This study applied MPPT (Meditation Mindfulness Positive Psychology Training) to compare meditation play and art therapy programs and measure their effects on child anxiety, mindfulness, and self-regulation improvement. The subjects were 4th and 6th graders located in K city, Gyeonggi-do, and there were a total of 18 students, consisting of 6 in meditation play, 6 in art therapy, and 6 in control groups. The research period was from mid-April 2022 to mid-July 2022, and the two groups participating in meditation play and art therapy programs were treated once a week for 40 minutes, for a total of 10 sessions, and the control group was not treated. Mindfulness (K-CAMM) by Greco, Baer and Smith (2011), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) by Spielberger (1973), and Self-Regulation Abilities by Heo Jeong-kyung (2004) were used as measurement tools. For data analysis, SPSS 22.0 was used. For the results of the study, As a result, compared to the control group, the art therapy given to experimental group 2 decreased anxiety, increased mindfulness, and increased self-regulation compared to the meditation play given to experimental group 1. This paper has significance as it is the first in Korea to compare children's meditation play and art therapy programs to compare and verify their effectiveness on anxiety, mindfulness, and self-regulation.

Tingkat Kecemasan Preoperasi pada Anak di Instalasi Bedah Sentral Rumah Sakit Brayat Minulya Surakarta

Introduction: Preoperative is the initial stage of perioperative care which begins when the patient enters the reception room and ends when the patient is transferred to the operating table for surgery. At this stage, most people who undergo it will feel anxious, including pediatric patients. Pediatric patients often exhibit preoperative anxiety that influences intra- and postoperative nursing care. Mapping preoperative children's anxiety levels as a basis for determining preoperative treatment strategies for pediatric patients in the IBS Hospital reception room. Brayat Minulya needs to be done. Purpose: This study aims to identify the preoperative anxiety level of school-aged children in hospitals. Brayat Minulya Surakarta. Method: This research design is a descriptive study with a survey approach. Data collection was carried out using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) questionnaire. Sampling used total sampling with a sample size of 62 respondents who had adjusted to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using quantitative descriptive analysis methods. Results: Description of anxiety in preoperative school age children with no anxiety as many as 5 respondents (8.06%), mild anxiety as many as 21 respondents (33.87%), moderate anxiety as many as 27 respondents (43.55%), severe anxiety as many as 9 respondents (14.52%), and no respondents had very severe anxiety/panic. Conclusion: The number of children with moderate levels of anxiety is the largest, namely 43.55%. Future research can measure the relationship between gender and surgical experience with children's preoperative anxiety levels and use the gold standard, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) to measure children's anxiety levels.

Psychological distress and coping efficacy in children with disorders of gut-brain interaction.

Multiple psychological factors influence disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). We aimed to evaluate psychological distress in Colombian schoolchildren with and without DGBIs. We included children ages 8-18 years without organic medical conditions from largest regional public schools in Colombia. Children completed Spanish versions of Rome III diagnostic questionnaire for DGBIs, State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI), and a measure of coping efficacy. These data, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, were compared between children with DGBIs and healthy peers. Exploratory analyses investigated differences between youth with symptoms of functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) compared with healthy peers. Of 1496 children, 281 (mean age 12.9 ± 2.2 years, 49.8% females) self-reported criteria for DGBIs and 125 reported (44.5%) FAPDs. Children with DGBIs had higher trait anxiety, emotional sensitivity, somatization including GI, non-GI, pain-related, and non-pain-related subscales (p < 0.001 each) and lower coping efficacy (p = 0.02) compared to healthy peers. Females had higher trait anxiety and somatization (p = 0.04 and p = 0.005, respectively). State and trait anxiety and coping efficacy differed based on location in children with DGBIs (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, and p < 0.001, respectively). Children with FAPDs had higher trait anxiety (p = 0.02) and somatization (p < 0.001) compared to healthy youth. Children with DGBIs had higher anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and somatization, and lower coping efficacy compared with healthy youth. This highlights the importance of appraising psychological distress characteristics as well as incorporating conflict resolution, assertiveness training, and resilience building during the treatment of DGBIs.

Determining the factors affecting chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children with cancer

PurposeWe evaluated the factors affecting chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in children with cancer. Design and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 62 children aged 9 to 18 years old with a solid tumor who received chemotherapy for the first time, and their parents. Data were collected using a data collection form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Baxter Retching Faces Scale. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and logistic regression analyses. ResultsRisk factors related to the child, treatment, and parent were examined. Child-related factors were determined as diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 5.5), time since diagnosis (OR = 1.9, OR = 4.7), pretreatment anxiety of the child (r = 0.439, r = 0.422), and past experience of nausea and vomiting before treatment (OR = 1.2). Treatment-related factors involved anti-emetic prophylaxis (OR = 4.9, OR = 9.2). Parent-related factors included pretreatment anxiety of the parent (r = 0.271, r = 0.287), accommodation (OR = 5.5), not eating (OR = 1.2, OR = 1.3), and bad smell (OR = 1.2), which were described amongst parents' as factors that trigger CINV. ConclusionsThe occurrence of CINV is significantly affected by child-, treatment-, and parent-related risk factors. Practice implicationsPediatric nurses should create an environment for children and their parents to reduce their anxiety and provide basic knowledge and skills about the management of CINV.

State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children – Parent-reported Trait-version; a psychometric analysis of the measure in children on the autism spectrum

BackgroundTrait anxiety, a person’s general tendency to experience anxiety, has been widely researched in neurotypical populations resulting in standardised measures being well established for reliability and validity. However, the psychometrics of these measures have rarely been explored for children on the autism spectrum. MethodThis study used an online questionnaire to investigate the item response profile and psychometric properties of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children – Parent reported Trait subscale (STAIC-P-T) in a sample of 105 parents of children with an autism diagnosis (mean age 10y5m; SD 2y10m). ResultsSTAIC-P-T items with the highest mean score related to the child’s feelings of worry or upset. Items related to physiological symptoms had the lowest mean score. The STAIC-P-T showed good internal consistency (α = 0.84), evidence of divergent validity through very weak correlation with a measure of autism characteristics (rs =.06, p = .58), and convergent validity through strong positive correlation with an established measure of anxiety (rs =.65, p < .001). However, confirmatory factor analysis did not support the unidimensional model of trait anxiety established in the studies with neurotypical participants. ConclusionsDespite evidence supporting the validity and reliability of the STAIC-P-T, factor analysis indicates the need for further research to explore the suitability of this measure to assess trait anxiety in autism.

SAI-CH-6: Development of a Short Form of the State Anxiety Inventory for Children At-Risk for Type 1 Diabetes.

To develop a reliable and valid short form of the State Anxiety Subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH) in the Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. A Development Sample of 842 10-year-old TEDDY children completed the STAI-CH State Subscale about their type 1 diabetes (T1D) risk. The best 6 items (three anxiety-present and three anxiety-absent) for use in a short form (SAI-CH-6) were identified via item-total correlations. SAI-CH-6 reliability was examined in a Validation Sample (n = 257) of children who completed the full 20-item STAI-CH State Subscale and then again in an Application Sample (n = 2,710) who completed only the SAI-CH-6. Expected associations between the children's SAI-CH-6 scores and country of residence, sex, T1D family history, accuracy of T1D risk perception, worry about getting T1D, and their parents' anxiety scores were examined. The SAI-CH-6 was reliable (α = 0.81-0.87) and highly correlated with the full 20-item STAI-CH State Subscale (Development Sample: r = 0.94; Validation Sample: r = 0.92). SAI-CH-6 scores detected significant differences in state anxiety symptoms associated with T1D risk by country, T1D family history, accuracy of T1D risk perception, and worry about getting T1D and were correlated with the child's parent's anxiety. The SAI-CH-6 appears useful for assessing children's state anxiety symptoms when burden and time limitations prohibit the use of the STAI-CH. The utility of the SAI-CH-6 in older children with and without chronic conditions needs to be assessed.

The Effect of Hand Massage on Preoperative Anxiety Level and Hemodynamic Variables in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposeThe study was conducted to determine the effect of hand massage applied to preoperative children on anxiety level and hemodynamic variables. DesignThis research study is a randomized controlled trial with control and study groups, pre- and post-tests. MethodsThis study was conducted between April and September 2017 with 84 children who were planned to receive an operation by applying general/local anesthesia in a province in the south of Turkey. The population of the research was composed of children between the ages 9 and 12 (study group = 42 and control group = 42). The data were collected through “Child and Parent Information Form,” “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children,” “Physical Symptoms Follow-up Form for Anxiety,” and “Satisfaction Evaluation Scale.” FindingsThe state-trait anxiety mean after hand massage was found to be 25.78 ± 5.90 in the study group, and 31.80 ± 6.51 in the control group (P < .05). There was a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between the systolic blood pressures and heart rate averages of the children in the study group after hand massage. There was a negative correlation between the satisfaction hand massage and state-trait anxiety means of the study group children (P < .05). ConclusionsHand massage was found to have a positive effect on reducing anxiety, systolic blood pressure and heart rate. No effect was found on diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and SpO2. We recommend that more extensive studies on hand massage are performed.

The effects of playing digital games on children's pain, fear, and anxiety levels during suturing: A randomized controlled study.

The aim was to determine the effects of digital game play on children's pain, fear, and anxiety levels during suturing. Data were obtained from 84 children between the ages of 8 and 17 years at the pediatric emergency department between January 16 and March 19, 2020, using the Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear of Medical Procedures Scale (FMPS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH). A four-block randomization system was used. The study group (n = 42) played digital games during the suturing procedure, unlike the control group (n = 42). Ethical permissions were obtained from the ethical committee, hospital, and families. Before the suturing procedure, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups' mean scores. The intervention group was found to have statistically significantly lower WBFPS and VAS pain scores than the control group during the suturing procedure, and after the procedure, statistically significantly lower WBFPS, VAS, FMPS, and STAI-CH mean scores than the control group. The digital game-playing approach applied before and during the suture procedure was found to be effective in reducing children's pain, fear, and anxiety levels.

Anxiety and Parenting Style in Children and Adolescents With Tic Disorders

BackgroundTo study the associations of parenting styles and anxiety in Thai children and adolescents with tic disorders, comparing with healthy children and adolescents. MethodsA cross-sectional study of children and adolescents aged between six and 18 years with tic disorders were enrolled. The control group comprised gender- and age-matched healthy children with no history of tic disorders. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale was used to assess tics severity. All participants were evaluated for anxiety trait and state using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC). The anxiety disorders were screened by using the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders questionnaire. Parenting styles were evaluated by the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire. ResultsA total of 41 children with tic disorders and 41 children in the control group were enrolled. According to the STAIC, the anxiety state and trait scores were significantly higher in the tic disorders group than in the control group (median [interquartile range]: 28 [13 to 31] vs 8 [6 to 10], P≤0.001, and 31 [18 to 36] vs 8 [3 to 11], P≤0.001, respectively). Furthermore, anxiety disorder was more frequently found in children with tic disorders than in controls (58.5% vs 17.1%, P≤0.001). There was no significant correlation between anxiety symptoms, parenting styles, and the severity of tics. ConclusionAnxiety is common in Thai children with tic disorders. Screening for anxiety in children and adolescents with tic disorders is essential, leading to early detection and providing proper management.

The anxiety of children and their mothers waiting for examination in the paediatric outpatient clinic: a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study

ABSTRACT The study was conducted with 330 children and their mothers waiting in line for examination in pediatric outpatient clinics. Child and Mother Information Forms, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used as data collection tools. The study revealed that both children and their mothers experience moderate anxiety during the waiting period in the outpatient clinic and that there is a positive relationship between state and trait anxiety levels of children and mothers. The study observed that the state anxiety levels of children and their mothers were higher in children with previous hospitalization experience. Both state and trait anxiety levels were lower in children informed about visiting the hospital. It was concluded that prolonging the outpatient clinic waiting period increases anxiety levels in children and their mothers.

Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation improves comorbidities in children with cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Children with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) frequently suffer from disabling abdominal pain and comorbidities that impair quality of life. A noninvasive, auricular percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) device is shown to be effective for abdominal pain in children with disorders of gut-brain interaction. We aimed to determine the effects of PENFS on pain, common comorbidities, and quality of life in pediatric CVS. Children aged 8-18 years with drug-refractory CVS were enrolled in a prospective, open-label study receiving 6 consecutive weeks of PENFS. Subjects completed the following surveys at baseline, during/after therapy (week 6), and at extended follow-up approximately 4-6 months later: Abdominal Pain Index (API), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Profile-37. Thirty subjects were included. Median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 10.5 (8.5-15.5) years; 60% were female. Median API scores decreased from baseline to week 6 (p = 0.003) and to extended follow-up (p < 0.0001). State anxiety scores decreased from baseline to week 6 (p < 0.0001) and to extended follow-up (p < 0.0001). There were short-term improvements in sleep at 6 weeks (p = 0.031) but not at extended follow-up (p = 0.22). Quality of life measures of physical function, anxiety, fatigue, and pain interference improved short-term, while there were long-term benefits for anxiety. No serious side effects were reported. This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of auricular neurostimulation using PENFS for pain and several disabling comorbidities in pediatric CVS. PENFS improves anxiety, sleep, and several aspects of quality of life with long-term benefits for anxiety.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03434652.

Psychological recreation of overcoming failures and achieving success by young rhythmic gymnasts aged 6-8

Background and Study Aim. Performing physical exercises in rhythmic gymnastics requires not only physical ability, but also psychological stability and a suitable recreational environment. The satisfaction of doing gymnastic exercises is an important component of children's success. The aim of this study: to investigate the impact of psychological means of motivation and recreation, including intrinsic and extrinsic factors, on the performance and success of young gymnasts aged 6-8 in rhythmic gymnastics exercises.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. A total of 20 girls (employment experience - 2-4 years) aged between 6 and 8 years who were engaged in rhythmic gymnastics at Sports school No. 5 (Kharkiv, Ukraine), participated in this study. The participants were divided into two groups - experimental and control, based on their technical training levels determined by the results of the competition. Each group comprised 10 gymnasts. The research utilized two sets of tests: 1) psychological tests to assess the motivational sphere of gymnasts, including the Sports Motivation Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children; 2) technical training tests, specifically exercises with a hoop. The technical tests were scored by two experienced coaches on a 10-point scale.&#x0D; Results. The results of the study showed that the use of psychological training in the training process increased the level of motivation to achieve success. The motivational component of training was found to be closely related to the creation of an appropriate recreational environment, which in turn affected the level of technical performance of "risk" elements with the object among young gymnasts.&#x0D; Conclusions. The introduction of techniques and means of psychological preparation for performing complex throwing exercises with objects had a positive effect on increasing the level of motivation to achieve success and overcome failures. This approach helped to improve results when performing complex "risk" elements. The findings suggest that incorporating psychological means of recreation in training programs for young gymnasts can be beneficial for their overall performance and success.

The effect of education given to Turkish adolescents with Familial Mediterranean fever on anxiety, depression, and quality of life.

To examine the effects of individual education given to Turkish adolescents with Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) on anxiety, depression, and quality of life. The randomized controlled experimental study was performed on 70 adolescents aged 12-18years who were diagnosed as having FMF between October 2021 and April 2022 in Turkey. The disease management education was offered individually to adolescents in the intervention group with a booklet entitled "FMF is under my control;" no intervention was applied to adolescents in the control group. The training booklet was prepared by the researchers in a multidisciplinary team and was finalized by taking expert opinions. In the data collection process, a personal information form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH), the children's depression inventory (CDI), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were used. After applying the scales specified in the pretest, individual training was given and the posttest was performed 2months later using the same scales. After the education, there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean CDI score of the intervention group (p < 0.05), whereas there were statistically significant increases in mean scores obtained on PedsQL and its sub-scales (p < 0.05). However, the decrease in the mean STAI-CH score of the intervention group was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean STAI-CH, CDI, and PedsQL scores of the control group after the education (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The effectiveness of the individual education program for adolescents with FMF in improving quality of life and reducing levels of depression within the scope of disease management has been confirmed. It is recommended that all health professionals working with children with FMF regularly provide individual or group-planned education programs. What is Known: • The unpredictability of FMF attacks has a very negative effect on adolescents. • Individual education programs on FMF focus on children with a holistic approach. What is New: • To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first study to evaluate disease management education given to adolescents with FMF. • This is a pioneering study of the use of nurses in the education of adolescents with FMF and in fulfilling their educational roles.

Vulnerability to anxiety differently predicts cortisol reactivity and state anxiety during a laboratory stressor in healthy girls and boys

BackgroundChildren diagnosed with anxiety disorders show altered cortisol and state anxiety reactivity to stressful situations. To date, it remains unclear whether these dysregulations emerge after the pathology or whether they are also detectable in healthy children. If the latter is true, this may provide insight into children's vulnerability to develop clinical anxiety. Various personality factors (anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, perseverative cognitions) increase youth's vulnerability to develop anxiety disorders. This study aimed to examine whether vulnerability to anxiety was associated with cortisol reactivity and state anxiety in healthy youth. Methods114 children (8–12 y/o) were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C), where saliva samples were collected for cortisol quantification. State anxiety was assessed 20 min before and 10 min after the TSST-C using the state form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. Vulnerability to anxiety was assessed using a composite score of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children, and Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire. ResultsHigher vulnerability to anxiety was associated with enhanced cortisol reactivity in boys. Irrespective of vulnerability level, girls reported greater changes in state anxiety in response to the TSST. LimitationsGiven the correlational nature of this study, the directionality of the results remains to be elucidated. ConclusionsThese results indicate that endocrine patterns characterizing anxiety disorders are detectable in healthy boys who exhibit a high level of self-reported vulnerability to anxiety. These results could aid in the early identification of children at risk of developing anxiety disorders.

Is higher physical fitness associated with better psychological health in young pediatric cancer survivors? Across-sectional study from the iBoneFIT project.

To examine the associations of self-perceived and objectively-measured physical fitness with psychological well-being and distress indicators in young pediatric cancer survivors. A total of 116 participants (12.1 ± 3.3 years, 56.9% boys) from the iBoneFIT project participated in this cross-sectional study. Objectively-measured physical fitness (muscular fitness) was obtained by handgrip strength and standing long jump tests for the upper and lower body, respectively. Self-perceived physical fitness was obtained by the International Fitness Scale (IFIS). Positive and negative affect were assessed by the positive affect schedule for children (PANAS-C), happiness by Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), optimism by Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), self-esteem by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), anxiety by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC-R), and depression by Children Depression Inventory (CDI). Multiple linear regressions adjusted by key covariates were performed to analyze associations. No associations were found between objectively-measured muscular fitness and any of the psychological well-being and distress indicators (p > 0.05). Self-perceived overall fitness and flexibility were positively associated with positive affect (β ≥ 0.258, p < 0.05). Self-perceived cardiorespiratory fitness, speed/agility, and flexibility were negatively associated with depression (β ≥ -0.222, p < 0.05). Finally, self-perceived cardiorespiratory fitness was also negatively associated with anxiety and negative affect (β ≥ -0.264, p < 0.05). Perceived physical fitness, but not objectively physical fitness, seems to be inversely related to psychological distress variables and to less extent positively related to psychological well-being. The findings from this study highlight the importance of promoting self-perceived fitness in the pediatric oncology population.

Anxiety among pediatric asthma patients and their parents and quick-reliever medication use: The role of physical activity parenting behaviours

BackgroundClinical guidelines recommend the identification of asthma comorbidities, especially treatable problems such as parental behaviours and child and parent anxiety. PurposeWe aimed to (1) explore associations of asthma severity with child and parent state anxiety, trait anxiety, and asthma-related anxiety as well as with caregiver behaviours around physical activity and (2) explore if caregiver behaviours around physical activity were associated with use of inhaled β-Agonists when symptomatic, and with child and parent anxiety. Patients and methodsPatients ages 3–17 years with asthma (n = 72) and their parents were recruited from the Pulmonology-Allergology Pediatric clinic University Hospital Centre Split in Split, Croatia during 2021. During a clinical visit, the pharmacological regimen was assessed and spirometry was performed. Children completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C) and the Youth Asthma-Related Anxiety Scale (YASS). Parents completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Parent Asthma-Related Anxiety Scale (PASS), and the Physical Activity Parenting Practices – Short Form (PAPP). ResultsMost patients had mild asthma (69.4%). Children with moderate to severe asthma had increased asthma-related anxiety (mean = 11.94 ± 6.1) compared with children with mild asthma (mean = 5.97 ± 6.39, p = 0.003). Parents of children with mild asthma reported behaviours allowing unsupervised physical activity outside more often when compared to parents of children with moderate or severe asthma. Physical activity facilitation parenting behaviour reduced the odds of a child's need for quick-reliever medication when symptomatic (OR = 0.376,95% CI = −1.885 to −0.072; p = 0.034); more coercive parenting increased the odds of a child's additional use of such medications (OR = 2.602; 95% CI = 0.005 to 1.908; p = 0.049). Parents of children in the highest quartile of trait anxiety showed less non-directive support (1.97 ± 1.01 vs. 2.89 ± 1.19, p = 0.031) and less autonomy support (3.14 ± 1.32 vs. 4.11 ± 1.23, p = 0.037) of physical activity in their children than those with less trait anxiety. ConclusionAsthma-related anxiety was an important construct in this sample of children, associated with their disease severity as well as their parent's behaviours around the child's physical activities. Current research, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognised the tangible ways that parents support or avoid the asthmatic children's physical activity participation. Child anxiety and recognised parental physical activity behaviours are potentially important factors to assess and target for intervention.

MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF AFGHAN REFUGEE CHILDREN: ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Objective: This study was carried out in order to determine the anxiety and depression levels of refugee children. Material and Method: This study was carried out with 140 refugee children studying at secondary and high schools located in the central district of Erzincan province of Turkey between January and April 2022. Data were collected with Socio-demographic Questionnaire, “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children”, and “Child Depression Scale”. Percent, means, simple t-test, One Way Anova Test, and multiple regression analysis were utilized in the analysis of the data. Results: In the study, the variables of loss of father, education, separation from the family during the war, duration of life in Turkey, having any chronic disease, and smoking were observed to be eff ective on the total score of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAIC). While it was found that the mother/ father alive, the duration of living in Turkey, and having any chronic disease had an eff ect on the CDI total score (p&lt;0.05). It was determined that the total mean score of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was 35.03 ±7.10, and the mean total score of CDI was 16.34 ±8.28. Furthermore, it was determined that 20.7% of refugee children had high levels of anxiety and 37.9% had depression. Conclusion: Study fi ndings have showed that refugee children have mental health problems while less than half of them experience high levels of anxiety and depression.

Anxiety in the Classroom: Only Girls' Anxiety Is Related to Same-Sex Peers' Anxiety.

Many teens report experiencing anxiety in school, which can negatively impact their well-being. Considering that adolescents tend to adopt the same behaviors as their classmates with whom they spend, on average, 923 h every year, the current exploratory study (1) assessed whether an association exists between a student’s state anxiety score and his/her classmates’ average trait anxiety scores and (2) examined whether this association differed between boys and girls, as well as between elementary school and high school students. During two consecutive school years, 1044 Canadian students (59% girls) from six elementary schools (aged 10−12) and seven high schools (aged 15−17) completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. Multilevel analyses revealed a same-sex peer effect of classmates’ anxiety in girls only (β = 0.40, p < 0.001). This effect was similar for elementary and high school girls (β = 0.07, p = 0.27). Interestingly, no association was found for boys, same-sex peers (β = 0.11, p = 0.25), or opposite-sex peers (β = −0.01, p = 1.00). Our results suggest that factors related to sex may reinforce anxiety in school settings. Future studies should confirm these results and explore the mechanisms involved in this sex-specific difference.