Self-Reported Anxiety Ratings in Children With and Without Food Allergies and Teacher Knowledge Surrounding Food Allergies

Much of the research looking at the relationship between anxiety and food allergies has been qualitative, and researchers have found that children with food allergies tend to report feelings of anxiety. Researchers have also been employing quantitative methods but have not always found this same relationship between food allergies and anxiety, especially when comparing to normative data. The present study explored this relationship using quantitative methods, comparing self-rated anxiety levels in a group of children with food allergies with those in a group of children without food allergies. Knowledge of food allergies in children without food allergies and teachers was investigated, as well as attitudes and beliefs about food allergies among teachers. All data was collected using questionnaires, which initially were going to be distributed in person but ultimately were distributed online. Anxiety was higher in children with food allergies than in children without food allergies, and children with food allergies may be at greater risk of developing social phobia and school phobia than children without food allergies. Findings have implications for children with food allergies and their families and lend support to the idea that school psychologists and other professionals should collaborate to provide education to families as well as teachers and other school personnel and help reduce anxiety in children with food allergies