A study of the developmental trajectory of social anxiety among boys and girls from 4th grade to 11th grade

Objectives: To investigate the patterns of developmental trajectory of social anxiety among boys and girls from 4^th to 11^th grade and to examine the related factors. Methods: Data from 1,621 students followed from 4^th to 11^th grade (from 2001 to 2008) as part of the Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE) project were used for secondary analysis. The Group-based Trajectory Model and Multinomial Logit Model were used in the statistical analysis. Results: Girls had significantly higher social anxiety than boys from 4^th grade to Upgrade. Students' social anxiety may increase greatly during junior high school. There were 5 trajectory patterns of social anxiety among boys: persistently low (28.01%), low to medium (28.41%), medium and declining (18.15%), medium to high (21.44%), and persistently high (4.26%). There were also 5 trajectory patterns for girls: low and declining (10.00%), medium to high (16.63%), medium- low (48.63%), high to medium (17.75%), and high and rising (7.00%). Developmental trajectory patterns of social anxiety among boys were significantly associated with parental punishment, parental support, parental conflict and interaction with peers. Girls' developmental trajectory patterns were significantly associated with parental punishment and interaction with peers. Conclusions: Girls' social anxiety is high from 4^th to 11^th grade. Preventive and intervention programs should be initiated early in elementary school. Parents should provide boys with more support, avoid conflicts, punish children less, and encourage children to interact more with their peers.