Conceptual relations between anxiety disorder and fearful temperament

Abstract

Fearful temperaments have been identified as a major risk factor for anxiety disorders. However, descriptions of fearful temperament and several forms of anxiety disorder show strong similarities. This raises the question whether these terms may simply refer to different aspects of the same underlying construct. The current review examines evidence for the overlap and distinction between these constructs. Although strong conclusions cannot be drawn from the extant literature, the bulk of the evidence appears to support a distinction between them.