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Anxiety Sensitivity and Children’s Risk for Both Internalizing Problems and Peer Victimization Experiences

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Abstract

In this study, we examined the degree to which children’s level of anxiety sensitivity (AS) was a precursor to both internalizing problems and peer victimization experiences. Participants were 581 fourth-grade children (M age = 9.31; 51.8% girls; 42.3% Hispanic/Latinx) and their teachers. Measures of AS, internalizing problems, and peer victimization were collected across a single academic year (Fall, Spring). Structural equation modeling and logistic regression analyses indicated AS predicted future internalizing symptoms as well as self- and teacher-reports of peer victimization. Also, children with heightened AS were 2.70 times more likely to reach elevated levels of self-rated peer victimization and 11.53 times more likely to have clinically elevated internalizing problems. This is the first study to examine prospectively the link between AS and children’s peer victimization experiences. We discuss implications of the findings for developing preventative interventions for children at risk for peer victimization and internalizing difficulties.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Springdale School District and its students and faculty, for their cooperation and participation.

Funding

This research was supported by Grants from the Marie Wilson Howells Endowment in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Arkansas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychologial Science, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA

    Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez

  2. Department of Psychology, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA

    Samantha J. Gregus

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, USA

    James T. Craig

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Freddie A. Pastrana

  5. Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA

    Timothy A. Cavell

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  1. Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez
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  2. Samantha J. Gregus
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Correspondence to Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez.

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Hernandez Rodriguez, J., Gregus, S.J., Craig, J.T. et al. Anxiety Sensitivity and Children’s Risk for Both Internalizing Problems and Peer Victimization Experiences. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 51, 174–186 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-019-00919-z

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