Parents’ attitude to their children’s fears is one of the factors that provokes or sustains them, in this sense, the family plays a particularly relevant role as a model and guide for emotional management.
Several studies, such as Fredrikson, Annas and Wik (1997), have shown that fears and phobias tend to manifest more in some families than in others Why does this happen?There are several factors that enter the equation when looking for an explanation.
- We can say that genetic transmission and environmental influence.
- Which mark certain modes of learning.
- Are ways in which parents play an important role in managing their children’s fears.
- Next.
- We’ll dive into this topic.
“A lot of things we need can wait for us. Children can’t. It’s now that your bones are forming and your blood and senses are developing. It’s your name today? – Gabriela Mistral-“
Apparently, the best way to explain the influence of parents on their children’s fears is based on the theory of the three ways to acquire fear (Rachman, 1977). Let’s look at these three routes:
There are studies that determine that subclinical or milder fears can be acquired through this process.
In the case of the most intense fears or phobias, it was not possible to conduct human studies for ethical reasons, but it was found that this was possible when observing the reactions of animals to certain elements.
At the same time, children also learn to react and may include inappropriate coping strategies in their behavioral repertoire, such as avoidance. For example, the child notices that the mother’s discomfort decreases when he moves away from the source of fear.
In addition, parents react fondly, anger or calmly to fear of darkness, dogs, separation, school, etc. In turn, the child learns that parents are paying attention and concern for their fears. is reinforced and manifested with increasing intensity or frequency.
In short, parents and other references reinforce fear and avoidance through indirect associative mechanisms; In addition, as shown in other studies suggested by Valiente, Sandon and Chorot (2003), the influence of the maternal figure generally leaves more important marks on the origin and maintenance of fear.
As we can see, the role of parents in managing their children’s fears is especially relevant, so it is essential to be vigilant and analyze both fears and those of children, as well as to observe how we deal with these situations. .