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Anxiety and Spatial Navigation in Williams Syndrome and Down Syndrome
Emily K Farran1, Kerry D Hudson2, Amelia Bennett1
1Department of Psychological Science, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Developmental Neuropsychology
|March 14, 2022
Summary
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS) experience poor navigation and high anxiety. This study found a link between navigation anxiety and sense of direction in both DS and WS populations.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS) often exhibit challenges in spatial navigation and heightened anxiety levels.
- Understanding the interplay between these deficits is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between navigation abilities and anxiety in individuals with DS and WS.
- To determine if navigation anxiety is associated with spatial orientation difficulties in these populations.
Main Methods:
- Parental questionnaires assessed anxiety and navigation skills in 55 individuals with WS and 42 with DS.
- Validated scales included the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale and the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction Scale (SBSOD).
- Novel measures for navigation anxiety and competence were also employed.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between navigation anxiety and SBSOD scores in both DS and WS groups.
- This relationship was not observed between navigation anxiety and navigation competence.
- Most participants had restrictions on independent travel, limiting real-world navigation assessment.
Conclusions:
- Navigation anxiety is linked to self-reported sense of direction in individuals with Down syndrome and Williams syndrome.
- These findings suggest that anxiety may play a role in spatial orientation difficulties in these neurodevelopmental conditions.
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