A Longitudinal Investigation of Maternal and Child ‘Anxious Cognitions’
- 19 August 2006
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Vol. 30 (2), 135-147
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-006-9021-1
Abstract
Overestimation of threat and underestimation of coping have been frequently reported amongst anxious adults and children. The current study examines the longitudinal relationship between mothers’ anxious cognitions and expectations about their child, and children's anxious cognitions. 54 children (aged 10–11 years) and their mothers reported on their interpretation of ambiguous scenarios at two time points. Mothers also reported on their expectations about their child's reaction to ambiguous situations. Significant cross-sectional associations were found between mother and child anticipation of distress. Associations were most consistent between mothers’ expectations and children's cognitions. Furthermore, based on regression analyses, mothers’ expectations predicted change in children's anxious cognitions over time. Evidence for a reciprocal relationship, that child cognitions predict change in mothers’ expectations, was found for girls. The results provide empirical support for potential influences on the development of children's ‘anxious cognitive style,’ and suggest targets for preventing and reducing maladaptive cognitions in children.Keywords
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Family influences on dysfunctional thinking in anxious childrenInfant and Child Development, 2003
- Social Origins of Depressive Cognitions: A Longitudinal Study of Self-Perceived Competence in ChildrenCognitive Therapy and Research, 2001
- The Developmental Origins of Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression: Negative Interpersonal Context Leads to Personal VulnerabilityCognitive Therapy and Research, 2001
- Developmental Origins of Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression: Parenting, Cognitive, and Inferential Feedback Styles of the Parents of Individuals at High and Low Cognitive Risk for DepressionCognitive Therapy and Research, 2001
- Anxious children and their parents: What do they expect?Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 1999
- Intergenerational links and positive self-cognitions: Parental correlates of optimism, learned resourcefulness, and self-evaluationCognitive Therapy and Research, 1996
- Family enhancement of cognitive style in anxious and aggressive childrenJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1996
- Family treatment of childhood anxiety: A controlled trial.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1996
- The genetics of six neurotic disorders: a twin studyJournal of Affective Disorders, 1990
- Cognitive processes in anxietyAdvances in Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1983