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A Meta-analytic Review of the Role of Child Anxiety Sensitivity in Child Anxiety

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Abstract

Conflicting findings exist regarding (1) whether anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a construct distinct from anxiety in children and (2) the specific nature of the role of AS in child anxiety. This study uses meta-analytic techniques to (1) determine whether youth (ages 6–18 years) have been reported to experience AS, (2) examine whether AS differentiates anxiety disordered youth from youth without diagnoses, and (3) ascertain whether AS distinguishes youth with panic disorder from those with other anxiety disorders. The weighted mean effect size analyses included 15 studies and 6,579 participants. Results suggested positive correlational relationships between AS and anxiety for children (r = 0.26) and adolescents (r = 0.36) and higher levels of AS for anxiety disordered youth than non-clinical youth (d = 0.64). Findings tentatively suggested higher levels of AS for youth with panic disorder than youth diagnosed with other anxiety disorders. Implications and future directions in the research of child AS are discussed.

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Notes

  1. Additional data provided by the authors of the following study were included in the analyses: Chorpita and Daleiden (2000)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NF, Canada, A1B 3X9

    Valerie A. Noël & Sarah E. Francis

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  1. Valerie A. Noël
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  2. Sarah E. Francis
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Correspondence to Sarah E. Francis.

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Noël, V.A., Francis, S.E. A Meta-analytic Review of the Role of Child Anxiety Sensitivity in Child Anxiety. J Abnorm Child Psychol 39, 721–733 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-011-9489-3

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