ABSTRACT
In the present study, we examined the pattern and intensity of fears in 327 British school children and the relation of those fears to anxiety and depression. The fears reported by the British children were found to be nearly identical to those found in Australian and American children (Ollendick, King & Frary, 1989). Further, although a moderate relation was found between fear and anxiety, only a modest relation was found between fear and depression. Anxiety and depression, however, were highly inter-related. Results of the study are explored in terms of the uniqueness of the constructs of fear, anxiety, and depression and their possible contribution to a more global construct, labeled 'negative affectivity' by Watson and Clark (1984).
Subject(s)
Anxiety/psychology , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Depression/psychology , Fear , Anxiety/diagnosis , Child , Depression/diagnosis , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , Male , Personality Development , Personality Tests/statistics & numerical data , PsychometricsABSTRACT
The Revised-Fear Survey Schedule for Children was administered to over 3000 Australian youths, aged 8-16 yrs. Consistent with previous findings, there was a significant age-related decline in fears. Females reported significantly more fears than males. The most common fears were similar to those reported by children and adolescents in the U.S.A. Nuclear war was added to the stimulus items and found to be the most commonly endorsed fear. Thus the self-reports of fear showed a concern for physical danger and harm.
