Examined the influence of social context variables on separation responses in nine-month-old infants. Indicated that nine month olds need not be highly stressed by being put in a new setting with a substitute caregiver. Use of procedures practiced in a model day care program effectively buffeted infant stress responses under individual and group…

A biobehavioral perspective may help settle disagreements about the validity and interpretation of infants' different behavioral patterns of attachment. A study of 41 infants demonstrated that insecure-avoidant infants, despite showing less overt distress after short separations from their mother than secure infants, exhibited arousal patterns as…

Eighty infants, toddlers, and preschoolers were observed before, during, and after separations from their mothers. Results suggested that there were no negative cumulative effects of repeated separations. The children seemed to adapt to repeated separations following the stressful experience with their first separation. (GLR)

Comparison of 15 high functioning children (ages 8-12) with autism and two control groups (specific language disabled or normally developing) on measures of anxiety and social worries found children with autism were most anxious on both measures used. High anxiety subscale scores for the autism group were on separation anxiety and…

This study examines the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of separation anxiety disorder (SAD) in a six-year-old boy who was having at least one panic attack a day. It uses a four-phased program that includes a psychoeducational approach. The outcome studies demonstrated how CBT shows promise as a treatment modality with…

Objective: Parents' concerns typically determine the focus of a primary care visit. This study examined which information is lost if child reports are excluded from screening for anxiety. It also explores the use in primary care of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17).…

Attachment, separation, and loss are critical life events for many young children. This article discusses prevalent factors of separation and loss and their potential harmful effects on development. Also, books and resources geared for children are suggested to help early childhood professionals facilitate resolution with affected children and…

This article presents calming activities and routines for children at different ages and stages. Honig discusses the different stages of arousal for children ages 0-2 and gives suggestions for ways to sooth fussy babies. Miller discusses calming activities and comforting environments for children ages 3-4, and recommends activities that require…

Examines to what extent Hansburg's Separation Anxiety Test matrix of correlations between theoretical factors can be replicated in an independent sample and how closely empirically derived factors from a factor analysis of test scales resemble the composition of Hansburg's theoretically based factors. Results provide minimal empirical support for…

Preschool children transferring to new schools were observed during a two-week period prior to separation from classmates. "Anticipatory" reactions by departing children were similar to behaviors noted in young children separated from their mothers during the mother's hospitalization for the birth of another child. (Author/RH)

Describes how peekaboo games were used with a toddler at home and in a parent-toddler play group setting to support the toddler's developmental need for autonomy, to help her gain control over separation from her mother, assist the play group leader to build a relationship with the toddler, and thereby enable the toddler to make the transition…

Observed the transitions between different caregivers and between waking and sleeping for a male toddler. The transitions were rated according to the affect displayed by the toddler. Results indicated that transitions involving the toddler coming into the care of his parents were less disturbing than those involving his coming into the care of…

Examined the effects of maternal employment and separation anxiety on maternal interactive behavior and infant attachment in 73 mother-infant pairs. Employed mothers who reported high levels of separation anxiety were more likely than low-anxiety mothers to exhibit intrusive behaviors. Although employment was not directly related to attachment,…

Assessed childhood trauma experiences (sexual abuse, physical abuse, witnessed violence, early separation) and family environment characteristics of 17 depressed female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 19 without BPD. Significantly, more BPD subjects reported histories of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and witnessed violence.…

Discusses the importance of bedtime rituals for children and suggests that observing these rituals can help children feel secure and in control. Illustrates the theme of bedtime in several books for children. (AEF)