Family and Parent Predictors of Anxiety Disorder Onset in Offspring of Anxious Parents

Background

Offspring of anxious parents are at increased risk for developing anxiety disorders. There is a need to identify which youth are at greatest risk for disorder onset in this population.

Objective

This study prospectively examined several theory-based family and parent characteristics (e.g., family conflict, parental over-control, parental psychopathology) as predictors of anxiety disorder onset in children whose parents were clinically anxious.

Methods

Families were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial evaluating a family-based preventative intervention, relative to an information monitoring control condition, for offspring of anxious parents (N = 136; child mean age 8.69 years; 55% female; 85% Caucasian). Family and parent measures were collected using multiple informants and an observational task at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6 and 12 month follow-up. Child anxiety disorder diagnosis was determined by independent evaluators using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children.

Results

Results indicated that none of the baseline family or parent variables examined predicted the onset of an anxiety disorder in children over the 1 year follow-up period.

Conclusions

Findings raise questions about the short-term risk associated with family and parent factors in anxiety disorder development in this high risk population.