Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Do Not Have Peer Problems, Just Fewer Friends

    Authors

    L. Scharfstein; C. Alfano; D. Beidel;N. N. Wong

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at [email protected]

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Child Psychiat. Hum. Dev.

    Keywords

    Generalized anxiety disorder; Peer relations; Social competence; Social; anxiety disorder; CHILDHOOD SOCIAL PHOBIA; OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER; TERM-FOLLOW-UP; EARLY ADOLESCENCE; MIDDLE CHILDHOOD; PSYCHOPATHOLOGY; PERCEPTIONS; RELIABILITY; ACCEPTANCE; WITHDRAWAL; Psychology, Developmental; Pediatrics; Psychiatry

    Abstract

    A common assumption is that all youth with anxiety disorders (AD) experience impaired peer relationships relative to healthy control children. Social impairments have been identified among youth with certain AD (e.g., social anxiety disorder; SAD), but less is known about the peer relationships of children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). We therefore compared the interpersonal functioning of youth with GAD, SAD, and controls (6-13 years). Despite having relatively fewer friends overall, children with GAD did not differ from controls in terms of the likelihood of having a best friend, participation in groups/clubs, and parent ratings of social competence. In comparison, youth with SAD were less socially competent, had fewer friends and difficulty making new friends compared to controls. Findings suggest that peer difficulties are not a universal feature of all childhood AD and highlight a need to better understand the social experiences and functioning of children with GAD.

    Journal Title

    Child Psychiatry & Human Development

    Volume

    42

    Issue/Number

    6

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    712

    Last Page

    723

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000296879200007

    ISSN

    0009-398X

    Share

    COinS
     

    Accessibility Statement

    This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.