In this introductory chapter, guided by developmental psychopathology and developmental science as overarching integrative theoretical frameworks, the authors define three constructs related to social anxiety in childhood (behavioral inhibition, anxious solitude/withdrawal, and social anxiety disorder) and analyze commonalities and differences in…

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…

Children with behavioral inhibition, a temperamental style characterized by infant distress to novelty and childhood social reticence, exhibit both continuity and discontinuity of this behavioral trait over the course of development. However, few researchers have identified factors that might be responsible for these different patterns. In the…

Behavioral inhibition (BI) is characterized by a pattern of extreme social reticence, risk for internalizing behavior problems, and possible protection against externalizing behavior problems. Parenting style may also contribute to these associations between BI and behavior problems (BP). A sample of 113 children was assessed for BI in the…

The prevalence of behavioral inhibition in toddlers was examined in five cultures. Participants in this study included 110 Australian, 108 Canadian, 151 Chinese, 104 Italian, and 113 South Korean toddlers and their mothers who were observed during a structured observational laboratory session. Matched procedures were used in each country, with…

Prosocial behavior encompasses sympathetic, helpful, and caring responses toward others. Temperamental characteristics and experiences of child rearing are associated with children's prosocial behavior. However, little research has examined the associations between prosocial behavior and either temperamental inhibition or paternal child rearing.…

Examined toddlers' behavioral inhibition and wariness with peers in novel situations involving unfamiliar settings, adults, and peers. Found little consistency of inhibited behavior across the three situations. Consistently inhibited toddlers had fearful temperaments, showed distress after maternal separation, and had mothers who were warm and…

Examined behavioral inhibition and psychophysiological markers of frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry for children identified at 4 months as at-risk for later inhibition. Found that 4-month temperament predicted inhibition over first 2 years and behavioral reticence at 4. Infants remaining inhibited displayed EEG asymmetry as early as 9…

Used prospective longitudinal design to ascertain whether different types of behavioral inhibition were stable from toddler to preschool age, and whether inhibited temperament or parenting style predicted children's subsequent social/behavioral problems. Found that traditional and peer-social toddler inhibition predicted socially reticent behavior…

Assessed mothers' childrearing attitudes and toddler behavior to predict mothers' emotions, attributions, parenting goals, and socialization strategies in response to vignettes depicting aggressive and withdrawn child behaviors two years later. Found that most child effects were moderated by maternal attitudes or gender effects. Authoritarian…