Parents' Genes Impact Child's Back to School Fears and Anxiety

The more we learn about genetics, the more we realize that they control everything from looks to personality to health. Now, though, scientists have found that parents' genes may also influence their children's behavior. It turns out whether or not a child is easily unnerved is largely dependent on whether their parents also express this trait.

In order to learn more about the development of children, Richard Tremblay launched a longitudinal study in 1984 that focused on several child participants. In fact, many of the original volunteers are now in their mid-30s, which means that Tremblay has collected a wealth of data about the development of children.

In this case, Tremblay examined anxiety that young students feel as they return to school. While much of this nervousness is often related to the uncertainties they feel about their new teacher and classroom environment, there's also other factors involved. Back to school horrors aren't isolated to the imaginations of young children. Instead, these tendencies may be inherited from their parents.

"There is a big genetic effect in terms of anxiety behaviors," said Tremblay in a news release. "The best predictors of anxiety or depression among children are their parents' own struggles with the same disorders. In other words, if you have a very anxious mother or father, you are at high risk of being an anxious child."

It's not just genetics, though. A child's anxiety can also be amplified by their environment. If a mother or father displays anxiety, it's likely the child will pick up on it and have a difficult time learning exactly how to control their own tendencies.

This anxiety can have far-reaching implications for children. Jittery students are more likely to become depressed and may have serious problems paying attention in school. This, in turn, could affect their scholastic achievement and social relations with their peers.

Yet there are ways to counter this type of stress. Tremblay encourages parents to monitor their children's behavior in the first week of school. In addition, he suggests that parents who have suffered from anxiety watch for any behavioral similarities reflected in their children.