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Anxiety in Children with Selective Mutism: A Meta-analysis
Jim Driessen1, Jan Dirk Blom2,3,4, Peter Muris5,6
1Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, The Netherlands. f.j.driessen@umail.leidenuniv.nl.
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|October 26, 2019
Summary
Selective mutism (SM) frequently co-occurs with anxiety disorders, with 80% of children diagnosed with both. This suggests SM and anxiety may not be distinct categories, requiring further research into their relationship.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Selective Mutism (SM) is currently conceptualized as an anxiety disorder in the DSM-5.
- There is a lack of systematic anxiety assessment within SM research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the DSM-5 conceptualization of SM as an anxiety disorder.
- To determine the prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders in children with SM using meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted.
- Prevalence data of comorbid anxiety disorders from 22 eligible studies (N=837) were pooled.
Main Results:
- 80% of children with SM were diagnosed with an additional anxiety disorder.
- Social phobia was the most common comorbidity, affecting 69% of cases.
- Significant heterogeneity was observed, unexplained by specified moderators.
Conclusions:
- The high comorbidity suggests SM and anxiety disorders may not be discrete categories.
- The etiological role of anxiety in SM remains unclear.
- Expanded anxiety assessment strategies are crucial for clarifying anxiety's role and improving SM classification.
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