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Socially anxious mothers' narratives to their children and their relation to child representations and adjustment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2014

Lynne Murray*
Affiliation:
University of Reading Stellenbosch University
Jeff E. Pella
Affiliation:
University of Maryland
Leonardo De Pascalis
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Adriane Arteche
Affiliation:
PUCRS University
Laura Pass
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Ray Percy
Affiliation:
University of Southampton
Catharine Creswell
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Peter J. Cooper
Affiliation:
University of Reading Stellenbosch University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Lynne Murray, Department of Psychology, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AL, UK; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract

Anxious mothers' parenting, particularly transfer of threat information, has been considered important in their children's risk for social anxiety disorder (SAnxD), and maternal narratives concerning potential social threat could elucidate this contribution. Maternal narratives to their preschool 4- to 5-year-old children, via a picture book about starting school, were assessed in socially anxious (N = 73), and nonanxious (N = 63) mothers. Child representations of school were assessed via doll play (DP). After one school term, mothers (Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL]) and teachers (Teacher Report Form) reported on child internalizing problems, and child SAnxD was assessed via maternal interview. Relations between these variables, infant behavioral inhibition, and attachment, were examined. Socially anxious mothers showed more negative (higher threat attribution) and less supportive (lower encouragement) narratives than controls, and their children's DP representations SAnxD and CBCL scores were more adverse. High narrative threat predicted child SAnxD; lower encouragement predicted negative child CBCL scores and, particularly for behaviorally inhibited children, Teacher Report Form scores and DP representations. In securely attached children, CBCL scores and risk for SAnxD were affected by maternal anxiety and threat attributions, respectively. Low encouragement mediated the effects of maternal anxiety on child DP representations and CBCL scores. Maternal narratives are affected by social anxiety and contribute to adverse child outcome.

Type
Regular Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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