Abstract
Behavioral inhibition (BI) and maternal over-control are early risk factors for later childhood internalizing problems, particularly
social anxiety disorder (SAD). Consistently high BI across childhood appears to confer risk for the onset of SAD by adolescence.
However, no prior studies have prospectively examined observed maternal over-control as a risk factor for adolescent social
anxiety (SA) among children initially selected for BI. The present prospective longitudinal study examines the direct and
indirect relations between these early risk factors and adolescent SA symptoms and SAD, using a multi-method approach. The
sample consisted of 176 participants initially recruited as infants and assessed for temperamental reactivity to novel stimuli
at age 4 months. BI was measured via observations and parent-report across multiple assessments between the ages of 14 months
and 7 years. Maternal over-control was assessed observationally during parent–child interaction tasks at 7 years. Adolescents
(ages 14–17 years) and parents provided independent reports of adolescent SA symptoms. Results indicated that higher maternal
over-control at 7 years predicted higher SA symptoms and lifetime rates of SAD during adolescence. Additionally, there was
a significant interaction between consistently high BI and maternal over-control, such that patterns of consistently high
BI predicted higher adolescent SA symptoms in the presence of high maternal over-control. High BI across childhood was not
significantly associated with adolescent SA symptoms when children experienced low maternal over-control. These findings have
the potential to inform prevention and early intervention programs by indentifying particularly at-risk youth and specific
targets of treatment.
social anxiety disorder (SAD). Consistently high BI across childhood appears to confer risk for the onset of SAD by adolescence.
However, no prior studies have prospectively examined observed maternal over-control as a risk factor for adolescent social
anxiety (SA) among children initially selected for BI. The present prospective longitudinal study examines the direct and
indirect relations between these early risk factors and adolescent SA symptoms and SAD, using a multi-method approach. The
sample consisted of 176 participants initially recruited as infants and assessed for temperamental reactivity to novel stimuli
at age 4 months. BI was measured via observations and parent-report across multiple assessments between the ages of 14 months
and 7 years. Maternal over-control was assessed observationally during parent–child interaction tasks at 7 years. Adolescents
(ages 14–17 years) and parents provided independent reports of adolescent SA symptoms. Results indicated that higher maternal
over-control at 7 years predicted higher SA symptoms and lifetime rates of SAD during adolescence. Additionally, there was
a significant interaction between consistently high BI and maternal over-control, such that patterns of consistently high
BI predicted higher adolescent SA symptoms in the presence of high maternal over-control. High BI across childhood was not
significantly associated with adolescent SA symptoms when children experienced low maternal over-control. These findings have
the potential to inform prevention and early intervention programs by indentifying particularly at-risk youth and specific
targets of treatment.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9663-2
- Authors
- Erin Lewis-Morrarty, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, 1123K Biology-Psychology Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Kathryn A. Degnan, Department of Human Development, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, 1123K Biology-Psychology Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Kenneth H. Rubin, Department of Human Development, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Charissa S. L. Cheah, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Daniel S. Pine, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Heather A. Henderon, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Nathan A. Fox, Department of Human Development, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627