Developmental Trajectories of Anxiety Subtypes from Childhood to Early Adolescence: the Role of Parenting Practices and Maternal Distress

Abstract

The present study was embedded in an Asian birth cohort to (a) investigate the trajectories of specific anxiety subtypes from middle childhood to early adolescence, (b) compare developmental trajectories by child sex, and (c) examine their associations with caregiving factors including parenting practices and maternal distress. Data from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort were analyzed (N = 547; 52.8% boys; 57.3% Chinese, 27.8% Malay, 14.7% Indian, 0.2% other ethnicities). Subtype-specific anxiety symptoms were repeatedly assessed via child-report at ages 8.5, 10, and 13 years. Parenting behaviors and maternal distress levels were measured via observed measures and parental report at age 6 years. We found subtype and sex-specific changes in anxiety symptoms across multiple timepoints using linear mixed effects models. Social anxiety symptoms increased with age, with a greater rate of increase in girls. Obsessive-compulsive and harm avoidance symptoms declined with age, with a slower rate of decrease in girls. Furthermore, parental autonomy support was associated with lower rates of increase in children’s social anxiety symptoms while maternal anxiety and stress levels were linked to greater increase in generalized anxiety, physical, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Our findings identify the transition from childhood to adolescence as a vulnerable period for the escalation of social anxiety symptoms, particularly for girls. Additionally, we underscore the significant role of early caregiving practices and maternal mental health for the development of anxiety symptoms into adolescence, identifying focal targets for family-centered intervention programs.