• Melanie Noel, Christine T Chambers, Patrick J McGrath, Raymond M Klein, and Sherry H Stewart.
• Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University. melanie.noel@dal.ca
• J Pediatr Psychol. 2012 Jun 1; 37 (5): 567-79.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of experimentally manipulated state anxiety and the influence of anxiety-related variables on children's memories for pain.MethodsA total of 110 children (60 boys) between the ages of 8 and 12 years were randomly assigned to complete a state anxiety induction task or a control task. Following experimental manipulation, children completed a laboratory pain task, pain ratings, and questionnaire measures of anxiety-related variables. 2 weeks later, children provided pain ratings based on their memories of the pain task.ResultsThe experimental manipulation effectively induced state anxiety; however, pain memories did not differ between groups. Irrespective of group assignment, children with higher state anxiety had more negative pain memories. State anxiety uniquely predicted children's pain memories over and above other well established factors. Anxiety sensitivity and trait anxiety were significant predictors of recalled pain-related fear.ConclusionsThese data highlight the importance of anxiety in the development of children's memories for pain.

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