Psychology study finds children with more severe social anxiety often have parents who offer repeated reassurance or help them avoid stressful situations

October 15, 2026 - 09:50

Parents often try to calm an anxious child by offering repeated reassurance, changing family routines or helping the child sidestep situations that cause distress. These responses can bring relief in the moment. But a new study suggests that such patterns of parental behaviour are tied to more severe social anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents who already struggle with anxiety.

Researchers examined how parents respond when their child shows signs of social anxiety, a condition marked by intense fear of judgment, scrutiny or social interaction. The findings point to a cycle that may feel helpful but can reinforce the problem over time. When a parent repeatedly comforts a child or removes them from feared situations, the child may get short-term comfort without learning that the situation is manageable.

The study adds to a growing body of work on how family responses shape anxiety. Experts say the results do not mean parents are to blame. Instead, they highlight the value of approaches that support a child in facing anxiety step by step, rather than eliminating every source of discomfort. For families, the takeaway is that well-meaning efforts to protect a child can sometimes keep fear in place.