Brief report: Attentional Control Moderates the Relationship Between Attentional Bias and Anxiety in Children

Abstract

This current study tested whether attentional control moderates the relationship between attentional bias to threat and anxiety in children. Children completed a self-report measure of attentional control and anxiety and an attentional bias task. Attentional control was examined as a moderator in the relationship between attentional bias and different dimensions of anxiety. The interaction between attentional control and attentional bias was significant for total and generalized anxiety. Although attentional control significantly moderated the relationship between attentional bias and anxiety, the direction of the interaction was not consistent with existing literature. Study implications and explanations for the study results are discussed.

Keywords:

• Anxiety
• attentional bias
• attentional control
• children