Parental Anxiety Disorders Research Articles

Parental psychopathology and offspring anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence: A Finnish nationwide register study

BackgroundResearch suggests an association between parental psychiatric disorders and offspring anxiety disorders, yet comprehensive studies are limited. This study aims to investigate the associations between various parental psychiatric disorders and anxiety disorders in their offspring. MethodUsing Finnish register data, this nested case-control study analyzed 867,175 singleton live births from 1992 to 2006, identifying 21,671 cases of anxiety disorders diagnosed between 1998 and 2016. Matched with four controls each (n = 72,414) based on age and biological sex, the study adjusted for demographic and prenatal factors using conditional logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios (aORs). ResultsThere was a significant association between parental psychiatric disorders and increased risk of anxiety disorders in offspring. The risk was notably higher when both parents had psychiatric disorders (aOR = 5.04; 95 % CI, 4.70‐5.39; p < .001). Maternal psychiatric disorders were strongly associated with offspring anxiety than paternal disorders (aOR 1.52; 95 % CI 1.43–1.61; p < .001). This association was consistent regardless of timing of parental diagnosis. Significant associations were observed between any parental psychiatric disorder and increased risks in offspring for specific phobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, and panic disorder. Maternal psychiatric disorders showed elevated risk for panic disorder and social phobia among girls and separation anxiety and generalized anxiety among boys. ConclusionThe findings emphasize the significant impact of parental psychiatric health on offspring anxiety disorders, highlighting the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Addressing parental mental health is crucial in preventing childhood anxiety disorders.

Risk of severe mood and anxiety disorders in the adult children of parents with alcohol use disorder: a nationwide cohort study

BackgroundGrowing up with parental alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. This study investigated the risk of mood disorders and of anxiety disorders in the adult...

Effect of tactile and/or kinesthetic stimulation therapy of preterm infants on their parents’ anxiety and depressive symptoms: A systematic review

BackgroundIn the case of preterm birth, the idealized postnatal period is replaced by an anxious and even traumatic experience for parents. Higher prevalence of parental anxiety, postnatal depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder has been observed in mothers of preterm infants up to 18 months after childbirth. There is increasing evidence that proprioceptive stimulation has a beneficial effect on preterms’ short-term outcomes. Could this care also have an impact on parental anxiety and depressive symptoms? We reviewed recent publications on the impact on parents’ anxiety and depressive symptoms of delivering tactile and/or kinesthetic stimulation to their premature newborn.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review by searching the PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases for English-language publications from the past 10 years. We focused on the mothers or fathers of infants born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation) who provided tactile and/or kinesthetic stimulation to their premature newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit. Relevant outcomes were the parents’ anxiety, stress, depressive symptoms, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, assessed with reliable standardized inventories.ResultsEleven articles were included in the systematic review. Results suggested a beneficial effect of parents’ early tactile and kinesthetic stimulation of their preterm infants.ConclusionsThese interventions may act as protective factors against the occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents and deserve to be studied further in this population.

Assessing parents’ and children’s psychological well-being and its associated factors during the COVID-19 lockdown in a Tunisian-North African population

BackgroundThe rapidly emerging Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the world yielding in significant changes in almost every aspect of daily life. While primary research of the epidemic COVID-19 has focused on the psychological impact on the general population and health professionals, no survey of the pandemic-resulting containment on parents and their children has been yet addressed in the Tunisian-North African population. This study aimed to assess the psychological profile of parents and youth in Tunisia during a period of COVID 19 lockdown, and to identify associated factors to parental anxiety symptoms.MethodsThis is an analytical cross-sectional study composed of a total of 538 adults including 464 mothers and 74 fathers. Parents of children aged less than 18 years completed an online survey (Google Forms) on the Psychological Impact of Confinement which includes the Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA), and the infantile trait-anxiety scale. The survey was initiated in May 2020 on a population of the Tunisian-North African citizens and lasted for more than 6 weeks.ResultsThe median GAD-7 score was 11 corresponding to a moderate anxiety with 27.8% reporting severe anxiety. The median PBA score was 31 corresponding to a moderate risk of burnout, with 19.5% being affected. The children's anxiety scores were associated with their parents' anxiety ratings with 24% of the children reported signs of moderate anxiety.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic affected parental and their children’ psychological behavior due to a direct social isolation and distancing. Pediatricians need to be alerted on this issue and future measures are essential to avoid parental emotional burnout and anxiety disorder in similar situations.

1.8 Parental Psychopathology and Offspring Anxiety Disorders: A Register-Based Finnish Nationwide Study

1.8 Parental Psychopathology and Offspring Anxiety Disorders: A Register-Based Finnish Nationwide Study

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Risks of Anxiety Disorders in Offspring of Parents With Mood Disorders

To examine the risk of anxiety disorders in offspring of parents with mood disorders. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched 4 electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science [core collection]) to identify cross-sectional and cohort studies that examined the association between parental mood disorders (including bipolar disorder and unipolar depression) and risk of anxiety disorders in offspring. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) of overall and specific anxiety disorders were synthesized using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to identify moderation factors. A total of 35 studies were included in the final analysis. Our results showed higher risks of all types of anxiety disorders in the offspring of parents with mood disorders (any anxiety disorder, RR= 1.82, 95% CI= 1.47-2.26), except for agoraphobia (RR= 1.08, 95% CI= 0.56-2.08), and with an especially elevated risk of panic disorder (RR= 3.07, 95% CI= 2.19-4.32). Subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the risks of anxiety disorders across the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder as opposed to unipolar depression. The absence of anxiety disorders in control parents, younger offspring age, and specific parent/offspring sex were associated with higher RRs for some anxiety disorders in offspring of parents with mood disorders. Our findings suggest a robust relationship between parental mood disorders and offspring anxiety disorders, and highlight the potential value of prevention and early intervention for anxiety disorders in this context. We worked to ensure race, ethnic, and/or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human participants. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list. Anxiety Disorders in Offspring of Parents with Mood Disorders: A Systematic Review; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; CRD42021215058.

Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and substance-related disorders in parents of children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

Linked Article: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14321

MAIN FACTORS OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN

Relevance. It is widely recognized that COVID-19 disease is significant problem for public health. The COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the long-term health impacts are continually increasing and children health is particular concern. The duration of exposure, heterogeneity and plurality of biopsychosocial factors have to unpredictable consequences on the mental health of vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents.&#x0D; Objective. Determination the significant factors affecting the mental health of schoolchildren during the pandemic in order to further develop the health-saving measures.&#x0D; Methods. During implementation of quarantine measures due to COVID-19 pandemic, we studied the peculiarities of schoolchildren’s life and mental health in 2020-2021 (n=1393) from all regions of Ukraine. Q-RAPH, GPAQ, RCADS-P-25 questionnaires were used. Prior to the pandemic, MH survey of 500 schoolchildren was conducted using “Children’s Neuroses Questionnaire” method. Descriptive statistics, Student's coefficients, univariate and multivariate analysis of variance, followed by a posteriori estimation of mean differences according to the Bonferroni test, conjugation tables, logistic and linear regression models were used.&#x0D; Results. Сonstant stay in an apartment during quarantine leads to an increase in the chances of anxiety-depressive disorders on average by 2.5 times. During the pandemic for the observation period, both duration and frequency of walks were significantly lower for the children with mental disorders. The likelihood of pathological increases in anxiety and depression in school age children without interactive learning is 1.8 times greater. Pairwise comparisons of adjusted means using the Bonferroni test demonstrated that the higher is the BMI - the shorter is the sleep (β=-1.9; p=0.004), the longer is the sedentary behavior duration (β=3.4; p=0.001) - the shorter is MVPA (β =-1,4; p=0,005). It was established that depressive disorders are 2.4 times more common among the children with chronic diseases than among the healthy children (χ2 =51.1; p&lt;0.001). In the course of 3d linear modeling of normalized indicators we can see that a decrease in both light physical activity (LPA) and MVPA leads to deterioration in mental health indicators of the children.&#x0D; Conclusions. Main factors of the negative impact on children's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic are: permanent stay at home (OR=2.02; CI 1.39-2.93), frequency of walks less than 4 times a week and duration less than 220 minutes per week (OR=1.96; CI 1.12-3.45), non-interactive remote learning (OR=1.78; CI 1.17-2.69), overweight and obesity of schoolchildren (OR=1 .52; CI 1.11-2.08), presence of chronic diseases (OR=2.79; CI 1.99-3.91), anxiety disorders in parents (OR=3.67; CI 1.02-13,25) and their lack of higher education (OR=1,27; CI 1,03-1,56).&#x0D; The obtained results must be taken into account when developing further preventive strategies and tactics for overcoming the pandemic consequences.

Effects of early childhood behavioral inhibition and parental anxiety disorder on adolescents' startle response to predictable and unpredictable threat.

Numerous studies in children, adolescents and adults have reported that anxiety disorders and symptoms are associated with greater threat-potentiated startle responses. This suggests that it may also be related to risk factors that have been implicated in the genesis of anxiety disorders. Therefore, we examined the roles of early childhood temperamental behavioral inhibition (BI) and parental history of anxiety disorders in predicting threat-potentiated startle response in a community sample of 346 adolescents. Parental history of anxiety disorders moderated the effects of BI on subsequent startle responses. For both total startle response and unpredictable threat startle potentiation, higher levels of BI at age 3 predicted larger startle responses at age 15, but only among offspring of parents with a history of anxiety disorders. Among offspring of parents with no lifetime history of anxiety disorder, BI was unrelated to startle magnitude. These findings were evident even after adjusting for youth's biological sex, concurrent anxiety symptoms, and lifetime history of anxiety disorders. In contrast, neither BI nor parental anxiety significantly predicted startle potentiation to predictable threat. These findings have implications for tracing pathways to the development of anxiety disorders.

Offspring irritability: associations with parental psychopathology and personality.

Although there are well-established correlates and outcomes of irritability, there are fewer studies reporting on predictors of the longitudinal course of irritability in youth. The current report examined parent internalizing and externalizing psychopathology and dimensions of personality as predictors of the developmental course of irritability in youth. Offspring irritability was assessed between ages 2 and 10years using the Irritability Factor from the parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist (N = 570, 53.51% female). Parental psychopathology was assessed with a clinical interview; parents also completed the General Temperament Survey as a measure of personality. Results demonstrated that offspring irritability decreased with age. Offspring irritability was associated with parental depressive and anxiety disorders, higher levels of negative emotionality/neuroticism (NE) and disinhibition, and lower levels of positive emotionality; parental NE and disinhibition remained unique predictors of offspring irritability in a multivariate model. Finally, parental externalizing disorders were associated with more stable trajectories of offspring irritability, whereas offspring of parents without a history of externalizing disorders showed decreasing irritability across time. Findings demonstrate that different aspects of parental personality and psychopathology have differential impacts on levels and course of offspring irritability.

Associations Between Parental Mood and Anxiety Psychopathology and Offspring Brain Structure: A Scoping Review.

A family history of mood and anxiety disorders is one of the most well-established risk factors for these disorders in offspring. A family history of these disorders has also been linked to alterations in brain regions involved in cognitive-affective processes broadly, and mood and anxiety disorders specifically. Results from studies of brain structure of children of parents with a history of mood or anxiety disorders (high-risk offspring) have been inconsistent. We followed the PRISMA protocol to conduct a scoping review of the literature linking parental mood and anxiety disorders to offspring brain structure to examine which structures in offspring brains are linked to parental major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, or bipolar disorder (BD). Studies included were published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and July 2021. Thirty-nine studies were included. Significant associations between parental BD and offspring caudate volume, inferior frontal gyrus thickness, and anterior cingulate cortex thickness were found. Associations were also identified between parental MDD and offspring amygdala and hippocampal volumes, fusiform thickness, and thickness in temporoparietal regions. Few studies have examined associations between parental anxiety and high-risk offspring brain structure; however, one study found associations between parental anxiety symptoms and offspring amygdala structure, and another found similar associations with the hippocampus. The direction of grey matter change across studies was inconsistent, potentially due to the large age ranges for each study and the non-linear development of the brain. Children of parents with MDD and bipolar disorders, or elevated anxiety symptoms, show alterations in a range of brain regions. Results may further efforts to identify children at high risk for affective disorders and may elucidate whether alterations in specific brain regions represent premorbid markers of risk for mood and anxiety disorders.

Associations between parental distress and pediatric anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment outcomes.

This study investigated whether an intensive group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy program with family involvement for children with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder could help reduce parental distress by addressing the larger family system. This study also examined associations between parental distress and parent-reported child outcomes of treatment. Two hundred ninety-nine children and adolescents, ages 6-19, who were patients in the intensive treatment program and their caregivers participated in this intervention-based study. Parents reported significant reductions in their own distress from admission to discharge, and greater reductions in parent-reported distress predicted greater reductions in parents' reports of their children's anxiety symptoms and the degree of child functional impairment. Higher levels of parent-reported parent mental health symptoms at children's admission and at discharge were associated with poorer levels of functioning in children at discharge. Parents' mental health symptoms may play a critical role in children and adolescents' treatment outcomes and therefore may need to be a separate treatment target.

Investigating the Effect of Implementing a Family-Friendly Program (Based on the MBCT Approach with Parent-Child Interaction) on the Reduction of Parental Anxiety Sensitivity and Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the family-friendly program (FFP) on reducing parental anxiety sensitivity (PAS) and also Separation Anxiety disorders (SAD) in children and adolescents. Subjects in both groups responded to the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorder-71 (SCARED-71) (to diagnose separation) and the anxiety sensitivity questionnaire for parents, before intervention (pretest) and immediately after the intervention (posttest). ANCOVA test via SPSS 23 showed that there was a significant difference between the test and control groups in the post-test (p < 0.0001). Teaching FFP affects reducing PAS and also SAD in children and adolescents.

Psychological distress among greek parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder: Is there a link to anxiety symptoms in neurotypical offspring?

IntroductionParents of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at higher risk of suffering from mental health problems (MHP) than parents of children with other developmental disabilities. Research on the general population documented that MHP in parents contributes as a significant risk factor for maladjustment outcomes in their offspring, while parental anxiety disorders in particular have been associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders in the offspring. However, evidence concerning possible associations between parent-offspring psychological problems in the case of ASD-families is scarce and inconsistent.This study forms a part of a larger PhD study and some preliminary findings have been partially discussed in previous work.ObjectivesTo investigate any association between anxiety symptoms in neurotypical offspring (ASD-siblings) with parental MHP.Methods118 parent-child-dyads from ASD-families that fulfilled inclusion criteria participated in this study and answered a demographic questionnaire. Parents were administered the GHQ-28, while the children answered the STAIC-A-Trait. A hierarchical multiple regression was performed to test the hypothesis.ResultsParticipating parents demonstrating poorer mental health, with 53 (44.9%) of them considered as suffering from psychological distress according to the score of GHQ-28. Furthermore, hierarchical regression showed that STAIC-(A-Trait) total score of ASD-siblings was associated with parental anxiety (std beta=0.292; p=0.29;model 1) and this association persisted after demographics entered the model (std beta=0.300; p=0.029; model 2).ConclusionsThis study shows a significant association between parental psychological distress and anxiety in the neurotypical offspring in ASD-families, highlighting the need to provide all members of ASD-families with the appropriate services.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of “single blastocyst” versus “double blastocyst” transfer in assisted reproductive technology

The transfer of multiple embryos after in vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the risk of twins and higher order births. Multiple births are associated with significant health risks and maternal and neonatal complications, as well as physical, emotional, and financial stresses that can strain families and increase the incidence of depression and anxiety disorders in parents. Elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) is among the most effective methods to reduce the risk of multiple births with IVF. Many patients and clinicians have been reluctant to adopt eSET due to studies reporting higher live-birth rates with the transfer of two or more embryos rather than eSET. The aim of the study was to determine whether elective single blastocyst transfer compromises pregnancy outcomes compared to double blastocyst transfer. The study is prospective observational study which included 25 patients with single blastocyst transfer (group 1) and 27 patients with double blastocyst transfer (group 2) as per the inclusion criteria. Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol was carried out. The treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. Data described as mean ± standard deviation or percentages. The statistical analysis was performed using Student t test, the Chi-squared test, and linear regression models. A P-value of <0.05 is considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0). Statistical analysis showed that the clinical pregnancy rate in the single blastocyst group was 56%, whereas in the double blastocyst group, it was 62.0%. The proportional comparison among the two groups was not found to be statistically significant (P = 0.319), but the multiple pregnancy rate was observed to be 70% in double blastocyst group, whereas in single blastocyst group, it was 0%, which was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.0001). eSET should be encouraged to decrease incidence of multiple pregnancies and associated complications.

The moderating effect of financial stress and autism severity on development of depression among parents and caregivers of Autistic children in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Background:Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common problem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, little research explored the extent of anxiety and depressive disorders in parents of children with ASD.Method:Descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of a sample of parents of children with ASD who attended Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Autistic Centre, Ministry of defense, Taif city.Results:The study included (n = 50) parents. The prevalence of mild depression was 30%, whereas the prevalence of moderately severe depression was 68%. Increased ASD severity level was associated with a significant impact on the PHQ-9 total score (level II was 1.293 times level I to have an increased PHQ-9 score, and level III was 1.530 times level I to have an increased PHQ-9 score). Economic status did not significantly alter depressive symptoms.Discussion and Conclusion:ASD diagnosis in Saudi children is associated with high parental depressive prevalence. However, this result could be bidirectional. Stigma, future-related worry, and stress could mediate parental depressive symptoms. Our findings in Saudi parents of children with ASD corroborate the established association between parental depressive symptoms and ASD severity. Our results corroborated previous findings that neither parental gender nor child gender exert any substantial effect on predictability of depressive symptoms among parents of children with ASD. Comprehensive therapeutic packages for children with ASD should include treatment of emotional problems arising out of carer burden among their parents. Screening for parental emotional problems should be routine in autism treatment facilities.

Maternal antenatal stress and mental and behavioral disorders in their children

BackgroundMaternal antenatal stress, including symptoms of depression, anxiety and perceived stress, is associated with mental and behavioral problems in children. Whether it is associated with child mental and behavioral disorders remains uncertain. We examined if maternal antenatal symptoms of depression, anxiety and perceived stress were associated with mental and behavioral disorders in their children, if the associations varied according to gestational week, stress type, fluctuating or consistently high symptoms, and if they were driven by maternal or paternal lifetime mood or anxiety disorders. Methods3365 mothers participating in the Prediction and Prevention of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction (PREDO) study completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the State Anxiety Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale up to 14 times throughout pregnancy. The Care Register for Health Care provided data on mental and behavioral (including neurodevelopmental) disorders for their children from birth (11/07/2006–07/24/2010) until 12/31/2016 and for parental lifetime mood and anxiety disorders until 12/31/2016. ResultsThe hazard of any childhood mental and behavioral disorder (HR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.39–2.51) was significantly higher for children whose mothers reported consistently high in comparison to consistently low levels of all types of stress throughout pregnancy. The associations remained significant when adjusted for maternal and paternal lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (and their comorbidity and timing and mood disorder type). ConclusionMaternal antenatal stress is associated with higher risk of childhood mental and behavioral disorders. Efforts to reduce maternal antenatal stress should be given a high priority to improve child mental health.

Increased rates of parental separation and anxiety among Latinx youth

Family separation during the immigration journey and its effects on the health of affected children and adolescents is a growing concern in the United States. Anti-immigrant policies are also on the rise, creating a negative context for development. Young people seen at a clinic-based Latinx youth development program completed intake questionnaires between 2009 and 2018 (n = 824). These, along with diagnoses coded at each visit, were used to examine the prevalence and associations between parental separation, demographics, and the number of visits with diagnoses of anxiety and depressive mood disorders, respectively. Bivariate associations were tested, and then regression was used to examine if parental separation was associated with the number of visits with an anxiety diagnosis. Rates of youth reporting ever experiencing parental separation were steady between 2009 and 2016 (range 3.1–9.0%) but increased in 2017 to 22.7%. The number of visits seen with a diagnosis of anxiety also increased during the study period, rising to three times higher. Youth reporting parental separation were older, and patient age was positively associated with the number of visits with an anxiety diagnosis; however, parental separation was not significantly associated with visits with an anxiety diagnosis once we adjusted for patient age. While further research is needed to explore the relationship between parental separation and anxiety disorders, this research sheds light into the significant increase of anxiety of the Latinx youth studied.

Parental Attachment Patterns in Mothers of Children with Anxiety Disorder.

Anxiety disorder on of the most common illnesses in the context of psychiatry. Potential causes include genetic and environmental factors, as well as the parental attachment of the individuals. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between parental attachment style and anxiety disorders for a group of children and their parents. Study data were collected from the mothers (N = 40) of children with an anxiety disorder who visited a child psychiatry outpatient clinic at a city hospital and a private institution in Kayseri (Turkey) in 2018. For the control group, 40 mothers of children without any mental illness were also included in the study. The purposive sampling method was used in the selection of the participants for both groups (experimental and control). Sociodemographic data sheet and parental bonding instrument (PBI) were utilized as the data collection instruments. Then, data were analyzed based on the descriptive analysis methodology that included mean scores, standard deviation, p-value, t-experimental, two-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation experiments by using SPSS v.22. The findings revealed that the mothers of the participants with a college degree in the experimental group had fewer perceptions of protection (t = 2.38, p < 0.01), but more perception of care from their mothers than fathers (t =−2.28, p < 0.05). In addition, although the perceived care of parents was found lower than the participants in the control group, the participants in both groups evaluated their parents analogously for overprotection. Findings showed that the mothers in the experimental group predominantly described their parents as neglecting.

Intergenerational transmission of anxiety: linking parental anxiety to infant autonomic hyperarousal and fearful temperament.

BackgroundAutonomic hyperarousal has been proposed as a dispositional risk factor for anxiety disorders (ADs). Therefore, we studied physiological arousal in offspring of fathers and mothers with and without ADs and whether infant hyperarousal predicts subsequent fearful temperament.MethodsInfants (N = 128; age = 4 months) did a novel stimuli task (exposure to visual, olfactory, and acoustic stimuli and an unfamiliar male) and a habituation task (exposure to a repeated acoustic stimulus). Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured during baseline, stimuli and post‐stimuli rest. Parents’ AD status and severity were measured using a diagnostic interview and their fearful temperament using a questionnaire. Child fearful temperament was measured at 4 months, 1 year and 2.5 years with observations during structured tasks.ResultsParents’ fearful temperament (significant in the habituation task), AD status (significant in the novel stimuli task) and AD severity (significant in both tasks) predicted a higher HR in their infants. Infants’ higher HR reactivity to novel stimuli and diminished HR recovery at 4 months predicted a more fearful temperament during infancy and toddlerhood. Infants’ higher HR at 4 months predicted a more fearful temperament at 2.5 years.ConclusionsParental prenatal anxiety (disorders) predicted infants’ autonomic arousal, which in turn predicted later fearful temperament in children. Outcomes suggest that autonomic hyperarousal is a dispositional risk factor of ADs.