Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2025
08:25
Measuring Attentional Biases for Threat in Children and Adults
Published on: October 19, 2014
15.2K
Low mood, worry and mind wandering in children
Ellen Teague1, Teresa McCormack1, Agnieszka J Graham1
1School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
The British Journal of Developmental Psychology
|April 1, 2025
Summary
Children
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Background:
- Mind wandering, a shift from external tasks to internal thoughts, is linked to negative affect and reduced well-being in adults and adolescents.
- Previous research has primarily focused on older populations, leaving a gap in understanding these dynamics in younger children.
- The temporal orientation of mind wandering (past vs. future-focused) may differentially relate to mood and worry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between low mood, worry, and the frequency and temporal orientation of mind wandering in children aged 8-12 years.
- To explore how mood and worry influence the tendency and focus of children's mind wandering.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-seven children (aged 8-12) participated in a study conducted via videoconferencing.
- Mind wandering frequency was assessed using intermittent thought probes during a listening task.
- Mood and worry levels were measured using self-report questionnaires and carer reports.
Main Results:
- Children's minds wandered approximately 23% of the time.
- A significant association was found between lower mood and increased mind wandering frequency.
- Low mood predicted past-oriented mind wandering, while worry was related to future-oriented thought.
Conclusions:
- Mind wandering in children is linked to mood and worry, with specific temporal orientations associated with each.
- Low mood in children is associated with a greater tendency to mind wander, particularly towards past events.
- Worry in children is linked to future-oriented thoughts.
- Further experimental research is needed to establish causality and inform interventions for children's emotional well-being.
Related Concept Videos
01:19High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
230
Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
230
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
33
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
33
01:30Information Processing Approach
22
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
22
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
21
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Diagnostic Criteria and...
21
01:27Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
22
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
22
01:18Nightmares and Night Terrors
67
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
Nightmares...
67