A Developmental Pathway From Early Behavioral Inhibition to Young Adults’ Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current study leveraged a prospective longitudinal sample to characterize developmental pathways from early temperamental risk to elevated young adult anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has led governments to implement measures such as home quarantine, school closures, and social distancing. These measures have caused significant changes in everyday social life and educational routines.1,2 Although these changes have been associated with heightened anxiety1 for the population in general, some individuals are more prone to experiencing heightened anxiety during stressful life events than are others.3 As such, examining specific developmental pathways from childhood temperament to heightened anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical for advancing our understanding of the mechanistic pathways that contribute to elevated anxiety during stressful life events.