The (in)stability of adolescent fears.
This study examined change in different types of fear in a longitudinal study of a birth cohort from age 13-15 yr. When viewed cross-sectionally there were few differences in the frequency and content of fears reported at these ages with the exception of an increase in social fears at age 15. When viewed longitudinally, however, few adolescents who reported fears at age 13 continued to report fears 2 yr later. Implications for developmental theories of fear and phobia are discussed.
Poulton
R
R
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand.
Trainor
P
P
Stanton
W
W
McGee
R
R
Davies
S
S
Silva
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010553:Personality Development