Investigation of behavioural inhibition, emotional expression, and aggression in childhood separation anxiety disorder

BACKGROUND: The relationship between separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and behavioural inhibition remains unclear. Additionally, aggression and emotional expression in SAD have not yet been systematically studied. This study aimed to investigate behavioural inhibition, aggression, and emotional expression in children with SAD. METHODS: The study included 30 treatment-naive patients with SAD (46.7% girls) and 30 healthy controls (HC) (33.3% girls), aged 60 to 84 months (70.76±9.44 months). The parents completed the Separation Anxiety Assessment Scale-Parent Version (SAAS-P), the Child Emotion Expressiveness Questionnaire (CEEQ), the Behavioural Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ), and the Children's Aggression Scale-Parent Version (CAS-P). RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural inhibition was significantly associated with SAD. Early recognition and intervention for behavioural inhibition can alter the development and course of the disorder.