Social anxiety disorder puts individual at increased risk for developing additional psychiatric disorders during adolescence. This means that examining possible precursors or risk factors for its development is of crucial importance. In early research, behavioral inhibition was believed to be anxiety diathesis predisposing individuals to a variety of anxiety disorders and not to any one specific disorder. Behavioral inhibition is characterized by fearful reactivity to novelty and has been empirically linked to the development of internalizing disorders, such as anxiety.
However, it is apparent that behavioral inhibition may be a specific risk factor for social anxiety. The present paper will explore whether behavioral inhibition is indeed
However, it is apparent that behavioral inhibition may be a specific risk factor for social anxiety. The present paper will explore whether behavioral inhibition is indeed