Predictors of Adolescent Anxiety (1 CE)

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Counselors

Course By: Ken Springer, PhD

Content By:  Hudson, J. L., Murayama, K., Meteyard, L., Morris, T., & Dodd, H. F. (2019). Early childhood predictors of anxiety in early adolescence. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 47, 1121-1133.

Course Description: Anxiety disorders have early onset and may persist into adulthood. Predictors of anxiety disorders in previous studies included inhibited temperament during infancy and family variables such as parental anxiety, overinvolvement, negativity, and the lack of a secure attachment between parent and infant. The present study examined the relationship between these predictors and the development of anxiety among at-risk children studied at ages 4, 6, 9 and 12 years. The researchers found that inhibited temperament, maternal anxiety, and maternal overinvolvement during the preschool years was associated with the development of anxiety symptoms by age 12. These findings have clinical implications for the prevention of anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the key predictors of anxiety disorders in adolescence
2. Describe the main study findings respective of children's temperament, maternal anxiety, and maternal overinvolvement, as well as maternal negativity and mother-child attachment
3. Integrate the strengths and limitations of the study, and summarize the clinical implications for the prevention of anxiety disorders

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Early childhood predictors of anxiety in early adolescence
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Distinguish among the predictors of adolescent anxiety described in the article
• Consider the observational, questionnaire, and survey methods used in the study, and identify the study's key findings, strengths, limitations, and clinical implications
• Work through the post-test questions, using the article as the sole basis for your answers
• Revisit the article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the role of early childhood predictors in the development of adolescent anxiety

Approvals: