Frequency and Intensity of fears in children: normative data

Abstract

 In the present study we report the findings of a normative fear investigation with a sample of Spanish normal children (ranging in age from 9 to 11 years). We examined the frequency, intensity and content of fear using the Spanish Fear Survey Schedule for Children-Revised (FSSC-R; Ollendick, 1983). The fears reported by the Spanish children were found to be quite similar to those found in American, Australian and British children, and not very different from fears reported by Chinese children. Girls reported significantly higher levels of fearfulness (frequency and intensity) than boys, and both self-reported high levels of intensity and number of fears on the physical danger and death domain. Some significant differences between girls and boys were found on the content of children fears, being small animal fears which best discriminated between girls and boys. Results provide also support for validation of the Spanish version of the FSSC-R.