Title

Selective Mutism: An Update and Suggestions for Future Research

Authors

Authors

S. Scott;D. C. Beidel

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

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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