Testing two developmental pathways leading to social anxiety: the role of shyness and autistic traits in interaction with overprotective parenting

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder has been one of the most concerning of the anxiety disorders, affecting a substantial group of adolescents. Both clinical and sub-clinical social anxiety may be the result of a variety of interacting risk factors, making it hard to pinpoint one specific etiology. The current research investigates the distinct, longitudinal effects of shyness and autistic traits on social anxiety, thereby analyzing two different developmental pathways. In addition, the role of overprotective parenting on these two pathways is assessed. A three wave longitudinal sample of 11- to 15-year-old Dutch adolescents (N = 1,818) was derived from the TRAILS project. Data was collected through self-report and parent-reported measures and included shyness, autistic traits, protective parenting and social anxiety. Results showed that shyness at age 11 predicted social anxiety at age 15. In contrast no predictive effects was found of autistic traits at age 11. Overprotective parenting by the mother and/or the father did not modify developmental pathways to social anxiety. Future research should further investigate the different developmental pathways leading to social anxiety.