Gender Differences in Parent-Reports of Child Performance Fear in Children with Social Anxiety
Conference Year
January 2022
Abstract
Around 7% of children are diagnosed with social anxiety annually. Research indicates that girls tend to exhibit more internalized anxiety during performance tasks. However, parent-report measures face challenges in capturing unobservable symptoms, leaving many girls undiagnosed. In this study, parents of children with social anxiety (n=6 dyads, 50% female children) reported on child’s avoidance of performance tasks. EDA was measured during a public speaking task. Results indicate no significant difference between genders on parent-reported anxiety, however, we hypothesize a significant gender effect on EDA. This would support girls as exhibiting more internalized anxiety than boys as early as preschool.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Tori Humiston
Secondary Mentor Name
Ellen McGinnis
Graduate Student Mentors
Bryn Loftness
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Ryan McGinnis
Student Collaborators
Julia Halvorsen-Phelan
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Neuroscience
Primary Research Category
Health Sciences
Gender Differences in Parent-Reports of Child Performance Fear in Children with Social Anxiety
Around 7% of children are diagnosed with social anxiety annually. Research indicates that girls tend to exhibit more internalized anxiety during performance tasks. However, parent-report measures face challenges in capturing unobservable symptoms, leaving many girls undiagnosed. In this study, parents of children with social anxiety (n=6 dyads, 50% female children) reported on child’s avoidance of performance tasks. EDA was measured during a public speaking task. Results indicate no significant difference between genders on parent-reported anxiety, however, we hypothesize a significant gender effect on EDA. This would support girls as exhibiting more internalized anxiety than boys as early as preschool.