Childhood Shyness and Negative Social Cognitions in Emerging Adulthood: Adolescent Negative Peer Experiences as Moderators

The purpose of this study was to use long-term longitudinal data to determine whether childhood shyness is associated with later negative social cognitions (rejection sensitivity and fear of negative evaluation) in emerging adulthood. Additionally, the prospective exacerbating roles of adolescent victimization and exclusion (self- and peer-reported) were examined. Participants were 119 Dutch individuals (50.5% male) from the Nijmegen Longitudinal Study, assessed at ages 9, 13, 16, and 21. Results showed a positive association between childhood shyness and emerging adult rejection sensitivity that was strengthened by high levels of peer-reported exclusion. There was also a positive association between childhood shyness and later fear of negative evaluation at high levels of exclusion, and a negative association at low levels of exclusion.