Children's self-speech and self-regulation during a fear-provoking behavioral test

A combined method of a behavioral test and a behavioral interview was used to assess children's spontaneous use of self-speech and self-regulation in a fear-provoking situation, showing that the report ofSelf-speech fluctuated over the test and was found to be related to task characteristics.

Abstract

Conducted a behavioral test and a behavioral interview to assess children's spontaneous use of self-speech and self-regulation in a fear-provoking situation. 44 children (aged 8-12 yrs) performed a series of more fear-provoking (e.g., jumping off the high diving board) or less fear-provoking (e.g., jumping off the low board) tasks in the swimming pool. Ss were divided into high-, moderate-, and low-anxious groups, based on their performance. Results indicate that the report of self-speech fluctuated over the test and was found to be related to task characteristics. High fear was related to a specific type of self-speech, while lower levels of fear were not. Approximately half of the Ss reported use of self-regulation. Level of fear was related to the occurrence of self-regulation; the moderate-anxious Ss mostly reported self-regulation. No relation was found between level of fear and type of self-regulation. The findings are discussed in relation to cognitive-behavioral assumptions.