Teens with Social Anxiety May Act Out, Study Finds

New research shows that social anxiety in some adolescents can manifest as aggression and impulsivity rather than withdrawal. In a study of 298 teens, latent profile analysis revealed three groups: a well-adjusted majority, a prototypical high-anxiety group with vulnerable narcissism, and an atypical aggressive-impulsive group with high vulnerable and grandiose narcissism (more common in boys). The findings emphasize heterogeneity in social anxiety and suggest the need for longitudinal studies and tailored interventions beyond the usual shy-withdrawal model.