Anxiety-related attention biases in preschoolers: an investigation using the pictorial dot-probe task

AbstractThe present study examined in preschool aged children the effects of threat-related attention biases on anxiety symptoms. In addition, we also measured reactive and regulative temperamental traits, given that it is believed that these temperamental traits might be related to both attention biases and anxiety symptoms. Results showed that attention biases were associated with higher levels of anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, a marginally significant interactive effect of attention biases towards happy faces and inhibitory control on anxiety symptoms was found. These data are some of the first providing support for the presence of anxiety-related attention biases early in the development