Difference Between Adults and Children in Predictive Personality Trait Interactions and
Social Anxiety Disorder
Name:
Student number:
Supervisor:
Second supervisor:
Course coordinator:
Bachelor-thesis Psychology
Department: Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences
Date:
Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam
Words: 5492
,RUNNING HEAD: SOCIAL ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY
Abstract
It is well established that social anxiety disorders (SAD) are associated with certain
personality traits, including a negative relationship with extraversion and a positive
relationship with neuroticism. As SAD is mostly a childhood onset disorder, similar research
with children can provide valuable information in regard to the relationship with personality
during that age. Also, the effects of interactions between personality traits on SAD is to be
determined. In the current prospective and cross-sectional study, the main goal was to
examine how the interaction between conscientiousness and neuroticism was associated with
SAD in adults and children. Also, an analysis was conducted to replicate previously obtained
associations between neuroticism and extraversion with SAD. In line with previous research,
it was hypothesized that neuroticism would have a positive association and extraversion a
negative association with SAD. In addition, it was hypothesized that the negative association
between neuroticism and SAD would be strengthened by lower levels of conscientiousness.
A total of 800 adults and 318 children were recruited for this study. Multiple linear regression
analyses showed no association of neuroticism and extraversion with SAD and no interaction
between neuroticism and conscientiousness, in either age category. However, a negative
association between SAD and conscientiousness emerged for both adults and children,
indicating that conscientiousness might be a protective factor for SAD. These findings are the
continuation of a more complex understanding of the relationship between personality on
SAD in adults and children. Recommendation for further research is discussed.
1
, RUNNING HEAD: SOCIAL ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY
Difference Between Adults and Children in Predictive Personality Trait Interactions
and Social Anxiety Disorder
Almost every day we find ourselves in some type of social setting: whereas it is
online, at work, at a party or just having some guests over. The behavior in certain settings
varies immensely: some settings require complete silence, like when watching a lecture; or
perhaps you are at a party with lots of fun and laughter. There are some persons however
who are extremely anxious and fearful of social settings and try to avoid certain situations as
much as possible. These people are likely to suffer from something called social anxiety
disorder.
Social anxiety disorders (SAD) are characterized by the fear of being negatively
evaluated by society in social or performance settings (American Psychiatric Association
(APA), 2013). Approximately 2.4 million people worldwide suffer from SAD (Ritchie and
Roser, 2018). SAD often leads to impairment in daily settings such as school and work areas,
but also in situations like a simple walk through the park (National Collaborating Centre for
Mental Health (UK), 2013). People with SAD tend to have fewer friends (Whisman et al.,
2000) and obtain poorer grades and qualifications in school (Van Ameringen et al., 2003). In
the work area people with SAD are less productive and take more vacation days from work
(Wittchen et al., 1999). Intense feelings of fear of judgment are mostly uncontrollable and
uneasy to hide because of visible sensations like sweating and trembling which often leads to
avoidance of social settings (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK), 2013).
SAD mainly occurs during childhood but can also manifest at an older age (National
Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK), 2013).
According to the National Institute of Mental Health US, different scientific aspects
provided explanations for the onset and maintenance of SAD: genetic inheritance is a
possibility, as studies have shown that there was a higher prevalence of social anxiety
amongst first degree relatives of persons with SAD (Stein et al., 1998; Kendler et al., 1992).
But also underdeveloped social skills are part of the explanation (Erwin et al., 2006). To
understand SAD and help provide the best possible treatments, scientists have focused on
research to discover potential predictors and other onset factors for SAD. Personality traits
have proven to be an important part of being social but are also potential predictors for social
anxiety disorders (Costache et al., 2020; Bienvenu & Stein, 2003)
Personality is frequently described by the five-factor model (Digman, 1990; McCrae
& Costa, 1999) which includes the following main personality traits: openness for
2
Social Anxiety Disorder
Name:
Student number:
Supervisor:
Second supervisor:
Course coordinator:
Bachelor-thesis Psychology
Department: Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences
Date:
Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam
Words: 5492
,RUNNING HEAD: SOCIAL ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY
Abstract
It is well established that social anxiety disorders (SAD) are associated with certain
personality traits, including a negative relationship with extraversion and a positive
relationship with neuroticism. As SAD is mostly a childhood onset disorder, similar research
with children can provide valuable information in regard to the relationship with personality
during that age. Also, the effects of interactions between personality traits on SAD is to be
determined. In the current prospective and cross-sectional study, the main goal was to
examine how the interaction between conscientiousness and neuroticism was associated with
SAD in adults and children. Also, an analysis was conducted to replicate previously obtained
associations between neuroticism and extraversion with SAD. In line with previous research,
it was hypothesized that neuroticism would have a positive association and extraversion a
negative association with SAD. In addition, it was hypothesized that the negative association
between neuroticism and SAD would be strengthened by lower levels of conscientiousness.
A total of 800 adults and 318 children were recruited for this study. Multiple linear regression
analyses showed no association of neuroticism and extraversion with SAD and no interaction
between neuroticism and conscientiousness, in either age category. However, a negative
association between SAD and conscientiousness emerged for both adults and children,
indicating that conscientiousness might be a protective factor for SAD. These findings are the
continuation of a more complex understanding of the relationship between personality on
SAD in adults and children. Recommendation for further research is discussed.
1
, RUNNING HEAD: SOCIAL ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY
Difference Between Adults and Children in Predictive Personality Trait Interactions
and Social Anxiety Disorder
Almost every day we find ourselves in some type of social setting: whereas it is
online, at work, at a party or just having some guests over. The behavior in certain settings
varies immensely: some settings require complete silence, like when watching a lecture; or
perhaps you are at a party with lots of fun and laughter. There are some persons however
who are extremely anxious and fearful of social settings and try to avoid certain situations as
much as possible. These people are likely to suffer from something called social anxiety
disorder.
Social anxiety disorders (SAD) are characterized by the fear of being negatively
evaluated by society in social or performance settings (American Psychiatric Association
(APA), 2013). Approximately 2.4 million people worldwide suffer from SAD (Ritchie and
Roser, 2018). SAD often leads to impairment in daily settings such as school and work areas,
but also in situations like a simple walk through the park (National Collaborating Centre for
Mental Health (UK), 2013). People with SAD tend to have fewer friends (Whisman et al.,
2000) and obtain poorer grades and qualifications in school (Van Ameringen et al., 2003). In
the work area people with SAD are less productive and take more vacation days from work
(Wittchen et al., 1999). Intense feelings of fear of judgment are mostly uncontrollable and
uneasy to hide because of visible sensations like sweating and trembling which often leads to
avoidance of social settings (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK), 2013).
SAD mainly occurs during childhood but can also manifest at an older age (National
Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK), 2013).
According to the National Institute of Mental Health US, different scientific aspects
provided explanations for the onset and maintenance of SAD: genetic inheritance is a
possibility, as studies have shown that there was a higher prevalence of social anxiety
amongst first degree relatives of persons with SAD (Stein et al., 1998; Kendler et al., 1992).
But also underdeveloped social skills are part of the explanation (Erwin et al., 2006). To
understand SAD and help provide the best possible treatments, scientists have focused on
research to discover potential predictors and other onset factors for SAD. Personality traits
have proven to be an important part of being social but are also potential predictors for social
anxiety disorders (Costache et al., 2020; Bienvenu & Stein, 2003)
Personality is frequently described by the five-factor model (Digman, 1990; McCrae
& Costa, 1999) which includes the following main personality traits: openness for
2
