Children At-Risk for Anxiety: Their Self-Esteem, Somatic Symptoms, and Perceptions of Parental Support

The present study examined children at risk for anxiety, analyzing their symptoms, selfesteem, and their perception of parental behavior. Data were collected as part of a large anxiety prevention study conducted at the University of Rhode Island. Elementary and middle school children who were identified as at risk for anxiety through an initial assessment were administered a battery of questionnaires, which included measures for anxiety, self-esteem, somatic symptoms, and perceptions of parental behavior. The primary hypothesis was that children at risk for anxiety would demonstrate low levels of self-esteem, especially if they concurrently displayed somatic symptoms and perceived their parental support as low. Moderating effects were not found in the current study, but there was a significant relationship between anxiety and self-esteem, across a broad range of anxiety symptoms and self-esteem domains. Perceived parental behavior was also related to anxiety. Specifically, higher parental control was related to higher anxiety. Perceived parental behavior was also related to self-esteem. Many differences in parent and child perspectives were noted. These findings may have implications in the future development of prevention and intervention techniques for children at risk for anxiety.