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Há um monstro no escuro: o impacto do viés de interpretação na perceção infantil do medo do escuro
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Abstract(s)
O medo do escuro é um fenómeno comum na infância, mas em alguns casos pode tornar-se atípico e persistente, influenciando negativamente o bem-estar das crianças. Vários fatores cognitivos têm sido sugeridos como possíveis explicações para a manutenção deste medo, sendo o viés de interpretação – a tendência para interpretar situações ambíguas como ameaçadoras – um dos mais relevantes. A literatura aponta que crianças com medos excessivos, incluindo o medo do escuro, podem apresentar uma maior predisposição para interpretar estímulos ambíguos de forma negativa, o que pode perpetuar os seus receios. Contudo, a relação entre o viés de interpretação e o medo do escuro em particular, assim como o medo generalizado, permanece pouco clara e carece de investigação mais aprofundada. Neste contexto, avaliámos 84 crianças dos 7 aos 10 anos de idade, utilizando instrumentos de autorrelato e tarefas de desempenho baseadas em histórias ambíguas, com o objetivo de analisar a relação entre o viés de interpretação, o medo do escuro e o medo geral. Os resultados mostraram uma alta prevalência do medo do escuro, com diferenças significativas entre géneros, com as meninas a relatar mais frequentemente este medo. O medo do escuro ocorre mais frequentemente em casa e quando as crianças estão sozinhas. Por fim, não encontrámos evidências consistentes de que o viés de interpretação tenha uma influência significativa no medo do escuro. Estes resultados sugerem a necessidade de investigações adicionais para esclarecer as condições sob as quais o viés de interpretação pode afetar o medo, assim como o papel potencial de outros fatores cognitivos e emocionais no desenvolvimento de medos na infância.
Fear of the dark is a common phenomenon in childhood, but in some cases, it can become atypical and persistent, negatively impacting children's well-being. Several cognitive factors have been suggested as possible explanations for the maintenance of this fear, with interpretation bias — the tendency to interpret ambiguous situations as threatening — being one of the most relevant. The literature suggests that children with excessive fears, including fear of the dark, may be more predisposed to interpret ambiguous stimuli in a negative way, which may perpetuate their fears. However, the relationship between interpretation bias and fear of the dark, as well as generalized fear, remains unclear and requires further investigation. In this context, we evaluated 84 children aged 7 to 10 years old, using self-report instruments and performance tasks based on ambiguous stories, with the aim of analysing the relationship between interpretation bias, fear of the dark, and general fear. The results showed a high prevalence of fear of the dark, with significant gender differences, as girls reported this fear more frequently. Fear of the dark occurs more often at home and when children are alone. Finally, we did not find consistent evidence that interpretation bias has a significant influence on fear of the dark. These results suggest the need for further research to clarify the conditions under which interpretation bias may affect fear, as well as the potential role of other cognitive and emotional factors in the development of fears in childhood.
Fear of the dark is a common phenomenon in childhood, but in some cases, it can become atypical and persistent, negatively impacting children's well-being. Several cognitive factors have been suggested as possible explanations for the maintenance of this fear, with interpretation bias — the tendency to interpret ambiguous situations as threatening — being one of the most relevant. The literature suggests that children with excessive fears, including fear of the dark, may be more predisposed to interpret ambiguous stimuli in a negative way, which may perpetuate their fears. However, the relationship between interpretation bias and fear of the dark, as well as generalized fear, remains unclear and requires further investigation. In this context, we evaluated 84 children aged 7 to 10 years old, using self-report instruments and performance tasks based on ambiguous stories, with the aim of analysing the relationship between interpretation bias, fear of the dark, and general fear. The results showed a high prevalence of fear of the dark, with significant gender differences, as girls reported this fear more frequently. Fear of the dark occurs more often at home and when children are alone. Finally, we did not find consistent evidence that interpretation bias has a significant influence on fear of the dark. These results suggest the need for further research to clarify the conditions under which interpretation bias may affect fear, as well as the potential role of other cognitive and emotional factors in the development of fears in childhood.
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Keywords
Medo do escuro na infância Viés de interpretação Desenvolvimento cognitivo Diferenças de género