LESTER_Clinical_Child_Family_Psychology_Review_Feb_2021.pdf (774.22 kB)
Adventurous play as a mechanism for reducing risk for childhood anxiety: a conceptual model
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 23:09 authored by Helen F Dodd, Kathryn LesterKathryn LesterIn this conceptual article, we draw upon the literature regarding cognitive and behavioural factors that underpin childhood anxiety to outline how a range of these risk markers might be targeted through adventurous play. When children play in an adventurous way, climbing trees, riding their bikes fast downhill and jumping from rocks, they experience feelings of fear and excitement, thrill and adrenaline. We propose that the positive, thrilling and playful emotions associated with this type of child-led play facilitate exposure to fear-provoking situations and, in doing so, provide opportunities for children to learn about physiological arousal, uncertainty and coping. We hypothesise that these learning opportunities will, over time, reduce children’s risk for elevated anxiety by increasing children’s expectations and ability to cope with anxiety, decreasing intolerance of uncertainty and preventing catastrophic misinterpretations of physiological arousal. If our conceptual model is correct, then ensuring that children have the physical and psychological space required to play in an adventurous way may help to decrease their risk for elevated or clinical anxiety.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Clinical Child and Family Psychology ReviewISSN
1096-4037Publisher
SpringerExternal DOI
Volume
24Page range
164-181Event location
United StatesDepartment affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-02-25First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-02-25First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-02-24Usage metrics
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