The Effect of Parent Anxiety on Treatment Acceptability and Retention of Diagnostic Feedback

Abstract

This study examined the effect of parent anxiety on treatment acceptability and retention of diagnostic feedback. Mothers (N = 187) of children ages 2 to 14 years recruited primarily through online parenting groups were randomly assigned to one of four vignettes that varied on ambiguity of diagnostic label (low vs. high) and ambiguity of diagnostic feedback (low vs. high). Participants completed measures of state and trait anxiety, retention of feedback, and treatment acceptability. Mothers reporting high trait anxiety endorsed greater treatment acceptability (F = 11.57, p = .001, $${\text{η}}_{\text{p}}^2$$ = .09). Those reporting high state anxiety retained more information, t(84.96) = −5.35, p < .001, Cohen’s d = .99. A significant interaction emerged between trait anxiety and diagnostic label on parent satisfaction (F = 4.95, p = .028, $${\text{η}}_{\text{p}}^2$$ = .04). Results suggest that parent anxiety may affect retention and likelihood of pursuing treatment. Future research is needed to investigate whether differences in parent anxiety translate into meaningful differences in their pursuit of treatment.