Quality of Mother- Child Relationships and Anxiety Syndrome in Preschoolers

The relationship between the components of mother-child relationship with anxiety syndrome in preschool children was investigated. 291 females selected by cluster sampling method from a group of mothers with children aged 2-6 years old in Tehran completed the Preschool Anxiety Scale (Spence et al, 2001) and Child-Parent Relationship Scale (Pianta, 1992). The results obtained from regression analysis and correlation showed that positive relationship of mother-child was a negative predictor of the social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the fear of physical injuries. Whereas conflict in mother-child relationship was a positive predictor of anxiety symptoms, especially generalized anxiety, social anxiety disorders and fear of physical injuries. Also, the dependence of mother-child positively predicted anxiety syndrome, in particular separation anxiety. The implications of mother-child relationship in the assessment of children's welfare, especially in clinical contexts and the need for formulation and implementation of treatment profiles by child clinicians were discussed.