How Gene-Environment Interaction Affects Children’s Anxious and Fearful Behavior


 

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: National Scientific Council on the Developing Child

Author(s):

Research Area: Population and demographics

Keywords: Parenting; Child development; Behavioral development

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In a study of children observed as babies and again at school age, it was found that children were more likely to become anxious and shy individuals if they had a genetic predisposition to anxiety and their mothers lacked social support, resulting in environmental stress for the children.