Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Examining Emotion-Related Processes In Selective Mutism; Autonomic, Behavioral And Parental Factors, Rachel B. Tenenbaum

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Selective mutism (SM) is associated with considerable individual and family burdens, significant long-term functional impairment, and risk for later psychopathology. However, literature examining the phenomenology of SM has been scant, and it remains unclear which mechanisms are related to the development or maintenance of SM. Multiple theoretical perspectives have been proposed, and it appears that several pathways may be involved and interact to lead to the development of SM. Emotionrelated processes, such as negative emotion reactivity, disruptions in emotion regulation, and parental behavior and emotionality have been proposed to be involved in the etiology and/or maintenance of SM. The present …