The contribution of family interaction as possible predictor for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Abstract

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most prevalent anxiety disorders worldwide. InMexico, its twelve-month prevalence stands around 0.4% in the general population, which representsover 400,000 persons. This disorder involves excessive, uncontrollable and chronic worrying;nervousness, irritability, increased muscle tension and severe deterioration of the individual’s quality oflife. In this context it becomes necessary to establish the factors leading to the development of thisdisorder aimed at developing effective preventive and treatment interventions. Although research studieshave documented that defective family interaction contributes to the development of this disorder, littleattention has been given to the specificity of the interaction with each parent, to the operational features ofmeasuring family interaction and to comparing healthy groups with participants with confirmed GADdiagnosis. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to explore these interactions while implementingmethodological precautions, through a retrospective cases-control scheme. A total of 62 personsparticipated, 31 formally diagnosed with TAG and 31 without any anxious symptoms. Results revealedrelatively specific forms of negative family interaction associated with the later development of GAD inadulthood.