Date of Award
1-2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Psychology
Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Weems, Carl
Second Advisor
Frick, Paul
Abstract
This paper examined the links between selective attention, memory bias, interpretive bias, and anxiety problems in a community sample of 81 children (38 females) aged 9-17 years. Cognitive biases were assessed using a word and picture Dot Probe Discrimination task to assess selective attention, a memory task to assess a memory bias, and the CNCEQ to assess interpretive bias. Childhood anxiety was assessed using the parent and child versions of the RCMAS and RCADS. Significant associations were found between the three cognitive biases and childhood anxiety problems. In addition, selective attention was found to be associated with the selective abstraction subscale of the CNCEQ. The results did not support the mediation of selective attention and interpretive bias by memory bias. Finally, the results supported a cognitive model that posited that interpretive bias may be predictive of childhood anxiety problems beyond what is predicted by selective attention and memory bias.
Recommended Citation
Watts, Sarah, "Selective Attention and Childhood Anxiety: The Associations Among Attention, Memory, Interpretive Biases and Anxiety" (2006). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 324.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/324
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.