Investigating the association between Anxiety, Interpretation bias and

parenting factors in Pashtun families

Submitted to; Dr. Bushra

Submitted by; Aneela Begum
Registration no. 305-FSS/MSEP/F19
Faculty of Social Sciences
Department; MS Psychology
Date; 17 Feb 2020
 Investigating the association between Anxiety, Interpretation bias and

parenting factors in Pashtun families

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are described as an excessive concern or worry that an individual finds

difficult to control (Diagnostic Statistics Manual-V, DSM-V, 2014). Although anxiety can

work adaptively in the context of threat or danger, persistent and severe anxiety can

interfere with an individual’s normal functioning and ability to perform everyday tasks

(Anxiety UK, 2014). Anxiety disorders typically follow a developmental course; in early

childhood, fears about strangers and separation from a child’s caregiver (separation

anxiety) are most commonly identified. In later childhood and early adolescence, anxiety is

more common in relation to a fear of failure. Additionally, social phobias are also more

common during adolescence, as relationships with peers become increasingly important

(Hadwin & Field, 2010).

Interpretation bias

Interpretive bias or interpretation bias is an information-processing bias, the tendency to

inappropriately analyze ambiguous stimuli, scenarios and events.

Parenting

For most children and adolescents, their primary caregivers are largely constant figures in

their lives and therefore have the greatest opportunities to influence their offspring’s

thought processes and behaviors.

Parenting characterized by overprotection/ emotional over involvement and over control

has been associated with anxiety disorders in children. The purpose of present research to

focused on the association between parent and child anxiety, interpretation biases and

parent-child relationships within Pashtun families. Cognitive theory and research indicates
that information processing biases are central to the development and maintenance of

emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression (Mathews & MacLeod, 1994). Several

forms of information processing biases have been identified which include; attentional,

interpretation and memory bias (Muris & Field, 2008a), each impacting differently on the

way in which an individual filters information. It is suggested that an individual with

elevated levels of anxiety is more likely to interpret ambiguous stimuli as threatening

rather than neutral (interpretation bias) (Beck, Emery & Greenberg, 1985). Previous

research has indicated that for children, parent anxiety, parenting styles and interpretation

biases are linked to emotional disorders in offspring. This review will explore the

interrelationships between anxiety, interpretation biases and parenting factors, as

understanding the aetiology and maintenance of emotional disorders and cognitive biases

will support the development of effective interventions to be developed.