Fears of Hispanic and Anglo Children: Real-World Fears in the 1990s

Abstract

Fears are a common and normal problem of childhood. An abundant literature exists concerning thefears of middle-classAnglo children. Only afew studies have investigated fears in children of low socioeconomic status (SES) and of non-Anglo ethnic background. In this study, elementary-school-age children of Hispanic/Mexican American and Anglo ethnicity and low to middle-to-upper SES were surveyed as to their fears. The children completed the Childrens Fear Survey Schedule, which was revised to include contemporary fear items. Girls reported a higher level offearfulness and more frequentfears than boys did. Low SES children, in contrast to high SES children, reported more intense and morefrequentfears. Hispanics did not differfromAnglos. The mostfrequentlyfeared items related to danger, death, and physical injury. The majority of the children rated real-life contemporary fears of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, and gunshots as very fearful. These findings are discussed with reference to developmental issues and to potential emotional difficulties.