Early maternal rejection and later social anxiety in juvenile and adult Japanese macaques

This study investigated the relationships between early maternal style and subsequent juvenile and adult behavior of offspring in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Early maternal style had no effect on baseline behavior of offspring when adult. In contrast, early maternal style was correlated with the response of adult offspring to stressful social interactions, and particularly with their response to actual or potential aggression. Infants whose mothers encouraged more independence showing high rates of rejection were less fearful and did cope better with stressful situations when adult. Although based on correlational data, these results suggest that in macaques maternal rejection can promote offspring independence and the development of a less anxious personality.