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Attention bias in the developmental unfolding of post‐traumatic stress symptoms in young children at risk
Author(s) -
BriggsGowan Margaret J.,
Grasso Damion,
BarHaim Yair,
Voss Joel,
McCarthy Kimberly J.,
Pine Daniel S.,
Wakschlag Lauren S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/jcpp.12577
Subject(s) - anxiety , psychology , attentional bias , moderation , clinical psychology , injury prevention , poison control , suicide prevention , young adult , developmental psychology , psychiatry , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology
Background Threat‐related attention bias relates to anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms in adults and adolescents, but few longitudinal studies examine such associations in young children. This study examines prospective relations among attention bias, trauma exposure, and anxiety and trauma symptoms in a sample previously reported to manifest cross‐sectional associations between attention bias and observed anxiety at preschool age. Methods Young children [mean ( MN ) = 5.0, ±0.7 years, n = 208] from a community‐based sample completed the dot‐probe task to assess their attention biases in response to angry faces. At baseline (T1) and at follow‐up approximately 9 months later (T2), anxiety and trauma exposure (i.e. violent and noninterpersonal events) and symptoms were assessed by maternal report. Results Neither attention bias nor baseline or recent trauma exposure predicted later anxiety. In contrast, attention bias toward threat and recent trauma exposure significantly predicted later trauma symptoms. There was evidence of symptom specificity such that attention bias toward threat significantly predicted hyperarousal and dissociation, but not avoidance or re‐experiencing symptoms. Finally, moderation analyses indicated that the relationship between attention bias and trauma symptoms may differ according to children's experiences of probable abuse. Conclusions Attention profiles and trauma exposure may increase the risk that young children will develop trauma symptoms. Individual differences in these attentional patterns and children's exposure history may impact outcomes among high‐risk children with potential implications for intervention.