Anxiety and birth order: does birth order play a role in a child's anxiety level?

Author(s)

Tarah R. Pearson, Rowan University

Date Approved

5-6-2009

Embargo Period

3-18-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Dihoff, Roberta

Subject(s)

Anxiety in children; Birth order

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to see if there is an interaction between anxiety levels and birth order. It was hypothesized that the first-born child would have a higher level of total anxiety than a non-first born child. It was also hypothesized that females would have an overall higher level of anxiety than males. The Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale 2^nd Edition, which was used to measure the different subtests of anxiety, tested for specific types of anxiety: total anxiety, worrying, social anxiety, physiological anxiety, and defensiveness. It was hypothesized that females would feel a higher level of total anxiety, worrying, and social anxiety while males would have a higher level of defensiveness, and physiological anxiety. The data was analyzed using t-tests and 2-way ANOVA's to determine the significance of the interactions. Implications for anxiety in an educational setting are discussed and reviewed.

Recommended Citation

Pearson, Tarah R., "Anxiety and birth order: does birth order play a role in a child's anxiety level?" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 655.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/655