Children who are fearful more at risk of anxiety issues

Aug 4 2008

Research from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has revealed that while many young children love to be scared by a ride on a roller coaster, the horror of a scary book or movie, and delight in the frights of a ghost train, those who demonstrate a strong dislike for such activities could be more likely to have anxiety issues.

The QUT research found in a recent survey given to mothers, fathers and children, that the children questioned who said they did not enjoy such activities matched the number of parents who said they thought their children were excessively fearful.

The survey asked the children if they enjoyed scary activities, and asked parents if they considered their children excessively fearful - and 18 per cent of the children said they did not enjoy the activities listed.

Dr. Marilyn Campbell and Dr. Linda Gilmore, senior lecturers at QUT's Faculty of Education, say there is a definite correlation with general fearfulness and anxiety, and not enjoying scary sorts of activities, which are considered fun by most children, may signify that the child has problems with anxiety.

The researchers say while it is by no means a diagnosis, it is something which may indicate that parents need to be aware if there are anxiety issues, as anxiety is a terrible thing to suffer through life, and can impede what a person can do.

They say the earlier anxiety is identified in children and the earlier they are taught how to cope, the better.

Dr. Campbell says for parents who think their child might have a problem with excessive anxiety, gradual and consistent desensitisation was the best way to help them overcome their fears.

Dr. Campbell says giving children coping strategies to deal with their fear of things helps them overcome the fear and that is important, however an increased fear for children's safety and parents who are generally fearful can also increase the risk of children developing anxiety issues.

Dr. Campbell suggests many parents tend to wrap their children in cotton wool, because they too are quite scared of the world and that can rub off on children.

She says it is important that children are not taught to see the world as an overwhelmingly scary place.