Background: In the last few years Medical Clowns(MC) have become an integral part of the pediatric staff of hospital wards. While several studies have demonstrated the huge benefits of MC, there are almost no data regarding coulrophobia, a known phenomenon that means an irrational fear of clowns. In the DSM-V it is defined as a specific phobia. In the current study we sought to examine the prevalence of coulrophobia and to characterize the affected children.
Methods: The clinical work of 3 certified MCs was prospectively assessed. Every child with coulrophobia was noted and the parents/child completed a specific questionnaire with a research assistant (either frontally or over the phone). Coulrophobia was defined as crying, anxiety response or effort to avoid contact with the MCs in small children, while in older children it was determined if the child either reported fear of MCs or made actions to avoid clowns` intervention. Analysis of demographic data regarding the children with coulrophobia was done from the medical files of the participants .
Results: A total of 1,160 children participated in the study. Of the 1,160 children, 14 children experienced coulrophobia(1.2%). The average age of children who experienced coulrophobia was 3.5(range 1-15). Interestingly, most of the children demonstrating coulrophobia were girls(85.7%). The most common anxiety response was crying and trying to avoid contact with the MC.
Conclusion: The Prevalence of coulrophobia in the general pediatric hospitalized population was 1.2%, with a significant predominance of girls (85.7%). Children who experienced significant coulrophobia also experienced significant fear of encountering or thinking about a MC visit.
