An Examination of Harm Beliefs in Dog Fearful Children

This study examined the role of harm beliefs in the maintenance of childhood dog phobia and the effect of exposure therapy on a child’s harm beliefs. The harm beliefs of 27 children with dog phobia were examined before and after exposure therapy to a dog. Children were shown a live dog and asked to rate the extent to which they believed the dog would harm them (e.g., the dog would bite or attack). The children were asked to complete Behavior Approach Tests (BATs) to the dog before and after the exposure. The children partially endorsed all harm beliefs regarding the dog. Harm beliefs predicted distress during a BAT before exposure therapy and avoidance after exposure. There was a significant reduction in all harm beliefs after exposure therapy with large effect sizes. Results are consistent with theory suggesting harm beliefs have a maintaining role in a child’s phobic response. Results also indicate the effectiveness of one session of exposure in reducing a child’s harm beliefs.7 page(s