COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Boys fear snakes, monsters and scary theme park rides more often than girls do, while girls fear thunder storms and the dark more than boys, according to a new study.

Ohio State University researchers examined the fears and anxieties of 86 children 8 to 12 years old and found that the boys harbored fears related to animals, supernatural phenomena and safety, while the girls tended to fear natural phenomena. This seems to counteract the stereotype of what girls are typically afraid of.

The researchers evaluated the children in several ways. They conducted individual interviews, had the children fill out questionnaires and asked each child to draw a picture of a human figure.

The researchers looked at the drawings for any of 38 specific characteristics -- called emotional indicators -- that could reflect a child's anxiety, concerns and attitude. The more prevalent the indicators, the higher the anxiety level should be.

Some of the emotional indicators in the pictures include shading of the body or limbs; omitting prominent body parts; crossed eyes; and a tiny or extremely large head.

"Because children may not have the words to express that they're afraid or worried, characteristics appearing in human-figure drawings can reveal some forms of serious anxiety," said Nancy Ryan-Wenger, profess
'"/>

Contact: Nancy Ryan-Wenger
Ryan-Wenger.10@osu.edu
614-292-4078
Ohio State University
28-Apr-1999