Refining the classification of children with selective mutism: a latent profile analysis.
The goal of this study was to develop an empirically derived classification system for selective mutism (SM) using parent-report measures of social anxiety, behavior problems, and communication delays. The sample consisted of parents of 130 children (ages 5-12) with SM. Results from latent profile analysis supported a 3-class solution made up of an anxious-mildly oppositional group, an anxious-communication delayed group, and an exclusively anxious group. Follow-up tests indicated significant group differences on measures of SM symptom severity, externalizing problems, and expressive/receptive language abilities. These results suggest that, although social anxiety is typically a prominent feature of SM, children with the disorder are also likely to present with communication delays and/or mild behavior problems.
Cohan
Sharon L
SL
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. shcohan@gmail.com
Chavira
Denise A
DA
Shipon-Blum
Elisa
E
Hitchcock
Carla
C
Roesch
Scott C
SC
Stein
Murray B
MB
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009155:Mutism / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors