Table 3 Studies of biased fear and avoidance learning in anxious children with studies presenting conflicting results to adult data italicised

Acquisition and extinction

Craske et al., [79]

Anxious group = 23 (9.4 yrs)

Clinical diagnosis

Anxious group showed larger anticipatory skin conductance responses (SCR) to CS + and CS- cues during acquisition and extinction

Healthy group = 11 (9.4 yrs)

Lipp et al., [80]

Anxious group = 53 (9.7 yrs)

Clinical diagnosis

Anxious group rated the CS + as more fear provoking after extinction (cohen’s d = 0.68) but as less fear provoking after acquisition (cohen’s d = 0.63).

Healthy group = 30 (10.1 yrs)

Pliszka et al., [[81]]

ADHD/anxious group = 11 (9.9 yrs)

Clinical diagnosis

No group differences in SCR and cardiac responses to CS + and CS- during acquisition or extinction

Healthy group = 22 (10.2 yrs)

Waters et al., [82]

Anxious group = 17 (10.2 yrs)

Clinical diagnosis

Anxious group showed larger SCRs to CS + and CS- and rated the CS + as more arousing during acquisition; and showed greater SCRs during extinction

Healthy group = 18 (10.2 yrs)

Lau et al., [83]

Anxious group = 16 (12.8 yrs)

Clinical diagnosis

Anxious group rated CS + and CS- as more fear-provoking after acquisition (cohen’s d = 0.60) but only to the CS + after extinction (cohen’s d = 0.85)

Healthy group = 38 (14.0 yrs)

Lau et al., [84]

High Anxious group = 18 (10.6 yrs)

Anxiety Symptoms

High Anxious group showed greater acquisition of avoidant responses to the CS + (threat face) (cohen’s d = 0.19-0.91)

Low Anxious group = 18 (10.6 yrs)