Analysis of young children’s anxiety in picture books: Focusing on picture books published between 2014 and 2024

This study analyzes the characteristics of picture books based on anxiety. For this purpose, we searched for picture books on anxiety at picture book museums and online bookstores and selected 249 books. Referring to DSM-VI and DSM-V, anxiety subtypes were divided into specific fear, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, selective mutism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress. The material of the picture book was analyzed by dividing it into subtypes of anxiety. As a result of the analysis, picture books based on generalized anxiety were published the most, with 87 books (34.94%). Additionally, there were 81 specific fear picture books (32.53%), 48 social anxiety picture books (19.28%), 20 separation anxiety picture books (8.03%), 6 obsessive-compulsive picture books (2.41%), and 5 post-traumatic stress picture books. (2.01%), and 2 (0.80%) picture books on selective mutism were published. Subtypes of anxiety were expressed through the protagonist's actions and thoughts through pictures and writing, and anxiety expressed visually helped children understand anxiety. The protagonist's attitude and behavior in dealing with anxiety helped me understand anxiety. and learn how to overcome it. These research results will lead to a detailed understanding of infant anxiety by subtype and to find ways to overcome it.