The social withdrawal and social anxiety feedback loop and the role of peer victimization and acceptance in the pathways

Abstract

Social withdrawal and social anxiety are believed to have a bidirectional influence on one another, but it is unknown if their relationship is bidirectional, especially within person, and if peer experiences influence this relationship. We investigated temporal sequencing and the strength of effects between social withdrawal and social anxiety, and the roles of peer victimization and acceptance in the pathways. Participants were 2,772 adolescents from the population-based and clinically referred cohorts of the Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey. Self- and parent-reported withdrawal, and self-reported social anxiety, peer victimization, and perceived peer acceptance were assessed at 11, 13, and 16 years. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models were used to investigate within-person associations between these variables. There was no feedback loop between withdrawal and social anxiety. Social withdrawal did not predict social anxiety at any age. Social anxiety at 11 years predicted increased self-reported withdrawal at 13 years. Negative peer experiences predicted increased self- and parent-reported withdrawal at 13 years and increased parent-reported withdrawal at 16 years. In turn, self-reported withdrawal at 13 years predicted negative peer experiences at 16 years. In conclusion, adolescents became more withdrawn when they became more socially anxious or experienced greater peer problems, and increasing withdrawal predicted greater victimization and lower acceptance.

Prospective associations between peer functioning and social anxiety in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Percentages of female participants ranged from 39% to 64% (M = 51.81, SD = 5.19). Almost all studies recruited participants from schools or local communities, except for one study, which also recruited participants from mental health clinics ( Barzeva et al., 2019 ). In twelve studies the majority of the participants were identified as middle class.…”

“…(2010) 77 11–13 52% 24 USA MASC SPPC -.36 -.29 Good (11) Tillfors et al. (2012) 1528 12–19 49% 12 Sweden SPSQ-C FN -.04 -.10 Good (11) Barzeva et al. (2019) 2772 10–12 51% 24 Netherlands RCADS SPF -.09 -.05 Good (11) Notes: MASC = Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children ( March et al., 1997 ), SPSQ-C = Social Phobia Screening Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents ( Gren-Landell et al., 2009 ), RCADS = Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale ( Chorpita et al., 2005 ), SPPC = Self-perception Profile for Children ( Harter, 1985 ), FN = Friendship Nomination ( Kerr et al., 2007 ), SPF = Social Production Function ( Ormel et al., 1997 ).…”

“…(2017) 1649 16–19 55% 6 Netherlands SAS-K PNV, OB/VQ .24 .23 Fair (10) Calvete et al. (2018) 1328 15.05 45% 6 Spain SAS-A PVQ .26 .33 Good (11) Barzeva et al. (2019) 2772 10–12 51% 24 Netherlands RCADS YSR, CBCL .14 .12 Good (11) Chu et al.…”

“…Negative qualities included relational negativity ( Tillfors et al., 2012 ) and conflict ( Mak et al., 2018 ). Three studies examined peer acceptance, with two on perceived peer acceptance ( Barzeva et al., 2019 ; Grills-Taquechel et al., 2010 ) and one on peer nomination ( Tillfors et al., 2012 ). Three studies examined peer rejection using self-report measures or peer nominations ( Lessard & Juvonen, 2018 ; Sentse et al., 2017 ; Vernberg et al., 1992 ).…”

“…In other studies participants were instructed to rate Likert scale items on perceived peer acceptance (e.g. “many classmates like to do things together with me”; Barzeva et al., 2019 ). Peer acceptance has been reported to predict a range of outcomes, including a higher level of academic achievement, better self-esteem, and lower loneliness ( Gallardo et al., 2016 ; Kingery et al., 2011 ).…”