Comparison of Empathy and Aggression Between the Cases Who Are Diagnosed With Anxiety Disorder and Healthy Controls

Objective:

Anxiety disorders (AD) are among common psychiatric disorders observed in childhood. Limited number of studies exist in literature, that focused on evaluatingthe role of empathy in anxiety disorder and its treatment. Although the role of empathy in preventing aggression is well- known, relationship between empathy and aggression in childhood anxiety disorders has not yet fully been understood. In this study, we aimed to compare children with AD, tohealthy controls, in terms of empathy and aggression and evaluate the relationship in between the two.

Method:

Study group consisted of 42 children, between 8-12 years old that were diagnosed with childhood Anxiety Disorder (AD). The control group (87 children) comprised age and sex- matched healthy children that had applied to other units within the same hospital the study was conducted.The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version was used to diagnose AD and other comorbid disorders. Buss Perry Aggression Scale was used to evaluate aggression levels of children, while theirempathy levels wereevaluated with Bryant Self Report for Children and Adolescents and Griffi th Empathy Scale Parent Form, where the latter was asked to be fi lled up by the mothers of participating children.

Results:

When children with AD were compared to healthy controls with respect to sel report empathy scale, empathy scales fi lled up by mothers of participating childrenand aggression scales;it was observed that empathy scores of AD group were signifi cantly lower, whileaggression scores were signifi cantly higher. Negative correlation was found between empathy and aggression.

Discussion:

Creating a room for children's empathy skills and aggressive behavior during the treatment process, might improve social skills positively and this may contribute to treatment of children diagnosed with AD.