Fear in children: what is the importance of gender

Introduction When we were children all remember hearing expressions like: “Do not be afraid.”, “What are you afraid of?”, “You strong, afraid!”. This primary emotion is introduced in our development associated, most of the time, with a negative connotation. However, know that fear, as normal response to real or imagined threat, an integral part human (Sequeira, 2011). The existence research on fears relevant for definition developmental patterns, characteristics such frequency and intensity, but also identification risk factors may at genesis anxiety disorders (Ollendick, King & Murris, 2002). Objectives In Portugal, studies scarce, contrary what happens other countries Methods study sample consists 121 students from 1st cycle basic education, 65 (53.7%) attending 3rd year schooling 56 (46.3%) 4th schooling, 66 ( 54.5%) female 55 (45.5%) male, aged between 7 10 years old (M=8.5; SD=0.61). For each child, adult, parents parental figures participated study, which mother (89.3%) remaining participants father (7.4%), (1.7%), grandmother (0.8% ) brother (0.8%). Results Fears more frequent females than males. Conclusions general, tend prevalent girls boys Disclosure Interest None Declared