Selective Mutism: An Update and Suggestions for Future Research

    Authors

    S. Scott;D. C. Beidel

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Curr. Psychiatry Rep.

    Keywords

    Selective mutism; Elective mutism; Social phobia; Social anxiety; Children; Adolescents; Etiology; Emotion regulation; Parental; psychopathology; Behavioral inhibition; Opposition; Communication; skills; Social skills; SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER; BEHAVIORAL-INHIBITION; EMOTION REGULATION; MIDDLE CHILDHOOD; ELECTIVE MUTISM; FOLLOW-UP; CHILDREN; PHOBIA; PSYCHOPATHOLOGY; DEPRESSION; Psychiatry

    Abstract

    Speculation continues regarding the accurate classification of selective mutism and potential etiologic factors. Current research has shed some light on several factors that may predispose some children to this disorder, but conclusions are difficult to draw due to reliance on subjective measures, few comparison groups, and/or limited theoretical grounding. This article provides an update on recent efforts to elucidate the etiologic pathways of selective mutism and on the current debate regarding its strong overlap with anxiety disorders, most notably social phobia. An additional attempt is made to examine findings based on a developmental perspective that accounts for multiple pathways, context, and the developmental stage of the child. Emotion regulation theory is offered as a potential factor in why some children may be more vulnerable to the etiologic factors described. Suggestions for future research are offered based on this integration of information.

    Journal Title

    Current Psychiatry Reports

    Volume

    13

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    251

    Last Page

    257

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000292308400004

    ISSN

    1523-3812

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