Evidence for retarded extinction of aversive learning in anxious children

Behav Res Ther. 2006 Oct;44(10):1491-502. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2005.11.004. Epub 2005 Dec 19.

Abstract

The habituation to intense acoustic stimuli and the acquisition of differentially conditioned fear were assessed in 53 clinically anxious and 30 non-anxious control children and young adolescents. Anxious children tended to show larger electrodermal responses during habituation, but did not differ in blink startle latency or magnitude. After acquisition training, non-anxious children rated the CS+ as more fear provoking and arousing than the CS- whereas the ratings of anxious children did not differ. However, anxious children rated the CS+ as more fear provoking after extinction, a difference that was absent in non-anxious children. During extinction training, anxious children displayed larger blink magnitude facilitation during CS+ and a trend towards larger electrodermal responses, a tendency not seen in non-anxious children. These data suggest that extinction of fear learning is retarded in anxious children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / methods
  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety Disorders / physiopathology
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology*
  • Avoidance Learning
  • Blinking
  • Child
  • Extinction, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Galvanic Skin Response
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic*
  • Humans
  • Male