Fears in Singaporean children: Identification of and comparison of fear dimensions between Singaporean, Australian, and American children

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the normal fears experienced by Singaporean children and to compare these fears with those reported by Australian and American children. A total of 1,234 Singaporean children aged 7 to 12 years filled in the Fear Survey Schedule for Children-Revised questionnaire. The study’s findings revealed that the top common fears reported by Singaporean children relate to fears that concern death and danger. Factor analysis yielded a 10 factor structure that relates primarily to the fears of danger and death, and fears related to negative social consequences. Compared to children in Australia and America, the findings
from this study suggest higher fear sensitivity among Singaporean children towards ordinary day-to-day events. The implications of the study’s findings for understanding fears in Singaporean children are discussed.