A Sequential Analysis of Parent-Child Interactions in Anxious and Nonanxious Families

Although theoretical work has suggested that reciprocal behavior patterns between parent and child may be important in the development of childhood anxiety, most empirical work has failed to consider the bidirectional nature of interactions. The current study sought to address this limitation by uti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology 2012-01, Vol.41 (1), p.64-74
Main Authors: Williams, Sarah R., Kertz, Sarah J., Schrock, Matthew D., Woodruff-Borden, Janet
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anxiety
Anxiety - psychology
Anxiety Disorders
Behavior
Behavior Patterns
Behavior Problems
Caregiver Child Relationship
Child
Child Psychology
Child, Preschool
Childhood
Children
Children & youth
Data Analysis
Evaluation Methods
Family - psychology
Female
Humans
Interaction
Intergenerational relationships
Male
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Negative behaviour
Parent Child Relationship
Parent-Child interactions
Parent-Child Relations
Parenting - psychology
Parents
Parents & parenting
Psychological Patterns
Sequential Approach
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Summary:Although theoretical work has suggested that reciprocal behavior patterns between parent and child may be important in the development of childhood anxiety, most empirical work has failed to consider the bidirectional nature of interactions. The current study sought to address this limitation by utilizing a sequential approach to exploring parent-child interactions. Participants included 161 children (ages 3-12 years) and their parents. Parent and child dyads were classified into four categories: anxious parent-anxious child (n = 45), anxious parent-nonanxious child (n = 45), nonanxious parent-anxious child (n = 21), and nonanxious parent-nonanxious child (n = 50). Parent and child behaviors were coded from two 10-min interactions. Results indicated that anxious parents of children with anxiety disorders were more likely to respond with negative behaviors, which their child then mirrored. Nonanxious parents of nonanxious children responded with more warmth, which was then mirrored by their child. These results provide evidence for differential patterns of behaviors between anxious and nonanxious parents and children following critical moments in their interactions.
ISSN:1537-4416
1537-4424
DOI:10.1080/15374416.2012.632347