Search for: All records

Children with the temperament of behavioral inhibition (BI) face increased risk for social anxiety. However, not all children withBIdevelop anxiety symptoms. Inhibitory control (IC) has been suggested as a moderator of the pathway betweenBIand social anxiety. This study uses longitudinal data to characterize development ofICand tests the hypothesis thatICmoderates associations between earlyBIand later social anxiety symptoms.

Children completed a Go/Nogo task at ages 5, 7, and 10 years as part of a longitudinal study ofBI(measured at 2–3 years) and social anxiety symptoms (measured at 12 years). To assessICdevelopment, response strategy (criterion) and inhibitory performance (d′) were characterized using signal detection theory. Latent growth models were used to characterize the development ofICand examine relations amongBI,ICparameters, and social anxiety symptoms.

ICresponse strategy did not change between 5 and 10 years of age, whereasICperformance improved over time.BIscores in toddlerhood predicted neither initial levels (intercept) nor changes (slope) inICresponse strategy orICperformance. However, between ages 5 and 10, rate of change inICperformance, but not response strategy, moderated relations betweenBIand later parent‐reported social anxiety symptoms. Specifically, greater age‐related improvements inICperformance predicted higher levels of social anxiety in highBIchildren.

ICdevelopment in childhood occurs independent ofBIlevels. However, rapid increases inICperformance moderate risk for social anxiety symptoms in children withBI. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.