Social expectancies and self-perceptions in anxiety-disordered children.
The link between anxiety and negative social expectancies was examined by comparing 47 anxiety-disordered children with 31 nonanxiety-disordered controls on social expectancies, social anxiety, and self-perceived social competence. Participants were exposed to a videotape of confederate children playing a game, being told the children were next door. In anticipation of joining the play, social expectations were assessed via thought-listing and a questionnaire. Parent, teacher, and child measures of sociability were completed prior to the experimental session. Results indicated that anxiety-disordered children reported significantly more negative social expectations, lower social self-competence, and higher levels of social anxiety than controls. Parents and teachers each rated the anxiety-disordered children as significantly more socially maladjusted than controls. Social anxiety was the best predictor of social expectancies. Given the importance of healthy peer relations, treatment implications for anxiety-disordered children are highlighted.
Chansky
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Agoraphobia and Anxiety Treatment Center, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, USA.
Kendall
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D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012718:Set, Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception