MOTHER-CHILD AGREEMENT ON SELF-REPORT OF ANXIETY IN ABUSED-CHILDREN

This study investigates the lack of agreement in maternal and child re port of child anxiety with a sample of abused and nonabused clinic-ref erred children. Based on the literature, it was predicted that nonabus ed clinic-referred children would report more symptoms of anxiety than their mothers would report for them. it was also predicted that mothe rs of abused children would report greater anxiety symptoms for their children than the children's self-report. Finally, it was predicted th at maternal psychopathology, specifically anxiety, would increase the probability that mothers would overreport their children's anxiety. Mo ther-child agreement based on anxiety symptoms assessed by the Quay Be havior Problem Checklist and the Revised-Children's Manifest Anxiety S cale was obtained on 54 male and female outpatients, 5 to 16 years of age. Overall, mothers reported significantly more anxiety for their ch ildren, than the children's own self-report, irrespective of abuse his tory. The implications of the findings are discussed with respect to t he validity of maternal and child report. Directions for future resear ch are also offered. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.