Childrearing style in families of anxiety-disordered children: between-family and within-family differences.

This study examined whether (1) parents of anxiety-disordered (AD) children differed from those of non-clinical controls in their childrearing style, and whether (2) the child-rearing style of parents towards AD children is different from that towards their siblings. A clinical sample of 25 AD children, age range 8-13 years, was compared with 25 siblings and a non-clinical control group (n = 25). Childrearing was assessed by means of parental self-report, child report and through an expressed emotion interview measure. AD children perceived more parental rejection than non-clinical control children or the AD children's siblings. High-expressed emotion was scored significantly more often towards AD children than non-clinical control children, or their siblings. On [Symbol: see text]care' and [Symbol: see text]control' parental self-report showed some differences regarding AD children on the one hand and non-clinical control children or siblings of AD children on the other. These results suggest that the rearing of AD children differs significantly both from the rearing of their siblings and that of non-clinical control children.

Childrearing style of anxiety-disordered parents.

This study investigated whether anxiety-disordered (AD) parents differ in their childrearing style from non-disordered parents. A clinical sample of 36 AD parents with children aged 6-18 was compared with a normal control sample of 36 parents. Childrearing was assessed through parent report and child report. The results demonstrated significant differences in childrearing style between AD parents and non-disordered control parents, both from the perspective of the parent and from that of the child. AD parents reported a less nurturing and more restrictive rearing style than control parents. Their children did not report more rejection or less warmth than children of control parents; they did, however, report significantly more overprotection than children of control parents. The findings, from parental as well as child reports, apply to both AD mothers and AD fathers.

Sibling relationships of anxiety disordered children--a research note.

There is a paucity of knowledge on the role of sibling relationships in internalizing disorders. Research in nonclinical populations suggests an association between internalizing problems in children and negative sibling interactions. Further, an association is reported between internalizing problems and actual or perceived parental differential treatment. This study examines sibling relationship qualities and perceived parental differential treatment in a clinical sample. Participants included 24 anxiety disordered children (ages 8-13 years) and 25 nondisordered control children (ages 7-13 years). Anxiety disordered and nondisordered children do not differ with regard to perceived affection or hostility from a sibling. Anxiety disordered children, however, report significantly more parental differential treatment than do nondisordered children.

Negative life events of anxiety disordered children: bad fortune, vulnerability, or reporter bias?

This article seeks to examine the nature of negative life events of anxiety-disordered children: to what extent are they unique, to what extent are they shared with siblings, and when they are shared, is the impact similar or different? Twenty-five anxiety-disordered children aged 8 to 13 years, referred to a child psychiatric clinic, were compared with matched non-clinical controls, and with their nearest in age nonreferred sibling aged 6 to 13 years on the number of parent-reported stressful life events. Anxiety-disordered children differ significantly from well controls in the number of negative life events reported by their parents over their lifetime, and the year preceding referral. Anxiety disordered children also differ significantly from their non-referred nearest in age sibling in the number of negative life events, both non-shared and shared. The difference in shared events is due to differences in appraisal by the parents of the impact of a shared event on the respective children. The often reported finding that children with anxiety disorders have experienced more negative life events than their healthy peers is partially due to objective differences in the occurrence of these events, but may also reflect heightened vulnerability or reporter bias.