title: The Origins of Neuroticism.
abstract: In this article, we provide a fresh perspective on the developmental origins of neuroticism--a dimension of temperament marked by elevated stress reactivity resulting in the frequent experience of negative emotions. This negative affectivity is accompanied by a pervasive perception that the world is a dangerous and threatening place, along with beliefs about one's inability to manage or cope with challenging events. Historically, neuroticism has been viewed as a stable, genetically based trait. However, recent understanding of ongoing gene-environment interactions that occur throughout the life span suggests there may be a more complex and dynamic etiology. Thus, the purpose of this article is to offer a theory for understanding the development of neuroticism that integrates genetic, neurobiological, and environmental contributions to this trait. Given the strong correlation between neuroticism and the development of negative health outcomes--most notably, the full range of anxiety and mood disorders--an enhanced understanding of how neuroticism originates has implications for the treatment and prevention of a broad range of pathologies and, perhaps, even for the prevention of neuroticism itself.
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and Department of Psychology, Boston University dhbarlow@bu.edu.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Kristen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ellard
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and Department of Psychology, Boston University.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sauer-Zavala
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and Department of Psychology, Boston University.
authors.forename: Jacqueline R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bullis
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and Department of Psychology, Boston University.
authors.forename: Jenna R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Carl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D000075384:Neuroticism; D010551:Personality
keywords: neuroticism; temperament