2012_%2528Field_%2526_Field%252C_Emotion%2529[47].pdf (612.71 kB)
How trait anxiety, interpretation bias and memory affect acquired fear in children learning about new animals
Cognitive models of vulnerability to anxiety propose that information processing biases such as interpretation bias play a part in the etiology and maintenance of anxiety disorders. However, at present little is known about the role of memory in information processing accounts of child anxiety. The current study investigates the relationships between interpretation biases, memory and fear responses when learning about new stimuli. Children (aged 8-11 years) were presented with ambiguous information regarding a novel animal, and their fear, interpretation bias, and memory for the information was measured. The main findings were: (1) trait anxiety and interpretation bias significantly predicted acquired fear; (2) interpretation bias did not significantly mediate the relationship between trait anxiety and acquired fear; (3) interpretation bias appeared to be a more important predictor of acquired fear than trait anxiety per se; and (4) the relationship between interpretation bias and acquired fear was not mediated by the number of negative memories but was mediated by the number of positive and false-positive memories. The findings suggest that information processing models of child anxiety need to explain the role of positive memory in the formation of fear responses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
EmotionISSN
1528-3542Publisher
American Psychological AssociationExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
13Page range
409-423Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2013-03-15First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-02-20First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-02-20Usage metrics
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