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What do children worry about?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Elspeth Christie  and
Colin MacMullin
Elspeth Christie
Affiliation:
School of Special Education and Disability Studies, Flinders University of South Australia
Colin MacMullin
Affiliation:
School of Special Education and Disability Studies, Flinders University of South Australia
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Abstract

This study examined the worries of children in the middle primary years, and the frequency and intensity with which these worries are experienced. Children from years 5,6, and 7 (ages 10-13 years) were asked “What do people of your age worry about?” This data were then used to formulate the Children's Worry Scale (CWS). The CWS was administered to 140 children in years 5, 6, and 7 to determine the frequency and intensity with which these worries were experienced. Findings revealed that there were significant age related differences and that girls reported more worries than boys. There were six main areas of worry for these children: school issues, personal safety, social/peer issues, health and safety of family members, issues related to parents, and being in trouble. The items which had the highest ranking for both frequency and intensity were from the area of school issues. Implications of these findings in relation to providing support for children in this area are discussed.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 8 , November 1998 , pp. 9 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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