Characterizing interactions between anxious mothers and their children

The present study assessed interactions between anxious mothers and their c hildren, using observational techniques to elucidate potential mechanisms o f anxiety transmission. Results revealed that anxious mothers were: less wa rm and positive in their interactions with their children, less granting of autonomy, and more critical and catastrophizing in comparison with normal control mothers. Maternal anxiety status appeared to be the primary predict or of maternal warmth during interactions. Child anxiety status was most pr edictive of maternal granting of autonomy behavior. Maternal behaviors exhi bited during interactions were the most salient predictors of child anxiety , contributing more than maternal psychopathology or ongoing strain to the development of child anxiety. Interventions focusing on family interactions that take into account the contributions of both members of the dyad may b e more effective in curbing transmission than interventions that solely add ress maternal or child symptomatology.