The stability of anxiety states and symptoms was assessed in a sample
of 150 anxious and nonanxious children. A number of assessment methods
including a semistructured interview, self-report instruments, psycho
physiological measures, and parental reports were used initially and a
t intervals Lip to 6 months later: The majority of children with a dia
gnosed anxiety disorder at the initial assessment still manifested sig
nificant symptomatology at the 6 month follow-lip. However, stability
of specific anxiety symptoms when assessed by self- and parental repor
ts was mixed. With respect to psychophysiological assessment, stabilit
y of responses was evident at 2 weeks bur riot after 6 months. Results
are discussed in terms of the stability of diagnoses and symptomatolo
gy, and the need for thematically relevant self-reports and behavioral
assessment tasks. Recommendations are made for the development of a r
eliable, multimethod strategy to assess the multiple domains of childh
ood anxiety.