Childhood multi-trajectories of shyness, anxiety and depression: Associations with adolescent internalizing problems

Abstract

This study tested the specificity of associations between childhood multi-trajectories of shyness, anxiety and depression symptoms and adolescent social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression, as well as functional impairment. A population sample of 1596 singletons was followed over 15 years. Mothers rated child shyness, anxiety and depression between 1½ and 8 years-old. Adolescents self-reported symptoms of social phobia, GAD and depression at 15 years-old. Multi-trajectories of childhood internalizing symptoms showed developmental heterogeneity. Controlling for perinatal risk factors, low anxiety and depression in childhood were associated with lower GAD, depression and impairment in adolescence. Higher childhood shyness was associated with adolescent social phobia. Higher shyness in girls was a protective factor for GAD, depression and impairment due to depression, while low shyness in boys was linked to higher risk for GAD and impairment due to depression. Our results underline the importance of distinguishing between shyness and different internalizing symptoms.