Prevention of anxiety in children of anxious parents

Anxiety is considered to be the most common mental disorder, with 350,000-400,000 adults experiencing symptoms that meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder in Denmark. At the same time, we know that there is a higher probability of children developing anxiety if their parents suffer from anxiety, and that this is not due to a high genetic component. The aim of the project is to investigate anxiety symptoms in children of anxious parents and whether two workshops can prevent children of anxious parents from developing anxiety themselves.

Child. Photo: Ben White, Unsplash

Sign up for the project

Below you will find an overview of the research project. You can choose to read more about the research project and sign up by clicking on the link above. We have also collected the most important information for you below. You are also welcome to contact us on e-mail with any questions you might have or for further information.

 

 

 

Anxiety is considered to be the most common mental disorder, with 350,000-400,000 adults experiencing symptoms that meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder in Denmark. Anxiety can manifest through physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or headaches; it can affect one's thinking, leading to tendencies to overestimate danger or an inability to stop worrying; and it can influence behaviour, causing individuals to avoid situations they perceive as dangerous or feel compelled to perform certain actions to prevent anxiety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • The project is aimed at adults suffering from anxiety who have children aged 6-12 years.

  • Participants in the project may receive help for their anxiety in the form of either psychotherapy and/or psychotropic medications (medicine).

  • The project is not aimed at individuals who, at the time of the project, suffer from a bipolar disorder or an active psychosis, or individuals who themselves, or whose child, have developmental or intellectual difficulties (e.g. autism spectrum disorder).

  • Furthermore, your child should not receive treatment for anxiety (e.g. Cool Kids) concurrently with your participation in the research project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anxiety can affect individuals in various ways and to different degrees in their daily lives and family life. No parent suffering from anxiety wants this for their child. At the same time, we know that there is a higher risk of children developing anxiety if their parents suffer from anxiety. Adults with anxiety who are parents may be unsure about what they can do to be good role models and contribute to their children's wellbeing and confidence - in order for them to grow up without anxiety. There is a lot of (sometimes conflicting) information available to parents about child-rearing, which can be confusing to navigate. Our hope is to help parents of children aged 6-12 years gain research-based knowledge and techniques on how to promote their child's confidence and hopefully prevent their child from developing anxiety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Participation in the project requires filling out an online questionnaire containing background information regarding, among other things, age, gender, marital status, economic status and education. Additionally, participants will need to complete questionnaires regarding their own anxiety and parental behavior, as well as any potential symptoms of anxiety in their child. The duration of this will be approximately 20 minutes.

  2. Furthermore, participants will need to participate in an online interview, approximately 1-1.5 hours concerning any potential anxiety and related problems in their child.

  3. Interested participants will be contacted after completing the online questionnaire, where an online interview will be scheduled. Participants will then be informed about which group they have been selected to join:

    • Workshops group: If you are assigned to this group, you will be invited to participate in two workshops. It is expected that you attend both workshops. The workshops will provide participants with knowledge on how they themselves can make small changes to their thoughts and behaviors to support courageous behaviors in their child. The workshops will take place in groups with approximately 8 other parents with anxiety and will be led by a clinical psychologist experienced in both anxiety and cognitive behavioral therapy. The workshops take place in the afternoon in Copenhagen.

    • Control group: If you are assigned to this group, you will receive a gift to Nordisk film cinemas worth DKK 400 and the material the workshop group has received. You will receive this after taking part in the final part of the study.

  4. One year later, both parts of the survey will be repeated (questionnaire and online interview).

 

 

 

 

 

Researchers

Name Title
Irene Lundkvist-Houndoumadi Postdoc Billede af Irene Lundkvist-Houndoumadi
Monika Anna Walczak Assistant Professor - Tenure Track Billede af Monika Anna Walczak
Sonja Breinholst Associate Professor Billede af Sonja Breinholst

Funding

Raising confident children and promoting wellbeing - Prevention of anxiety in children of anxious parents has received a two-year co-financing from PFA Pension. 

Project period: 1 January 2025-31 December 2026.

Contact

PI: Sonja Breinholst

Co-PI: Monika Walczak