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The role of parental anxiety sensitivity and learning experiences in children's anxiety sensitivity
Author(s) -
Stassart Céline,
Dardenne Benoit,
Etienne AnneMarie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
british journal of developmental psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 2044-835X
pISSN - 0261-510X
DOI - 10.1111/bjdp.12172
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , anxiety , femininity , psychiatry , psychoanalysis
This study evaluated the impact of the mother's and father's anxiety sensitivity ( AS ) and learning experiences on children's AS , and the influence of two moderators: the children's femininity orientation and the children's emotional intelligence (EI). The sample comprised 200 non‐clinical children, aged 9–13 years, and their parents (mothers and fathers). Results revealed that the effect of parental AS on children's AS is moderated by the children's EI for maternal AS and by their femininity traits for paternal AS . Learning experiences following somatic sensations influenced the children's level of AS . More specifically, special attention by parents following a child's somatic sensations (reinforcement and transmission of information) was associated with high AS in children. Parental reactions of fear following a parent's somatic sensations (modelling) seem to predict higher scores for AS when the link is moderated by the child's femininity orientation. The implications of these findings are discussed.Statement of contribution What is already known on this subjectThe influence of parental factors in child's AS has been demonstrate, but these studies are limited. Specific mechanisms might condition the relationship between child's AS and parental factors.What does this study add?Learning experiences and parental AS influence the child's level of AS. It is important to consider the influence of mothers and fathers in child's AS. Child's emotional intelligence and expressive traits may moderate the effect of parental factors.