THE REDUCTION OF TEMPERAMENTAL RISK FOR ANXIETY IN WITHDRAWN PRESCHOOLERS: A PILOT STUDY

Empirical findings and theoretical models posit a central role for an inhibited temperament in the development of anxiety. In turn, this suggests that reduction of withdrawn and inhibited characteristics in very young children may prevent the later development of anxiety disorders. To date, no programs have targeted inhibited temperament as a focus of treatment and it is often assumed that temperament is an immutable phenomenon. The current study piloted a brief education program for the mothers of seven temperamentally withdrawn 4-year-old boys. Results showed marked changes in mothers' perceptions of withdrawn temperament and anxious symptoms that continued over the following 6 months. These data encourage a larger-scale investigation of parent education for the reduction of inhibited temperament in pre-school children.