The pathogenesis of childhood anxiety disorders: Considerations from a developmental psychopathology perspective

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric problems in children and adolescents. The present article summarizes the main evidence that has accumulated on the pathogenesis of childhood anxiety disorders during the past two decades. Various risk and vulnerability factors (e.g., genetics, behavioral inhibition, disgust sensitivity, negative life events, family influences), protective factors (e.g., effortful control, perceived control), and maintaining factors (e.g., avoidance, cognitive biases) will be discussed. The information will be described in terms of a developmental psychopathology perspective, which assumes that (a) most forms of psychopathology are the result of multiple causal influences; (b) both successful and unsuccessful adaptation are important for understanding the origins of psychopathology; and (c) psychopathology occurs in a developing organism.