Family Factors

Anxiety runs in the family. Transgenerational transmission of anxiety disorders is partly explained by genetic factors, but mostly by family factors related to characteristics of parent–child interactions. This chapter focuses on two specific characteristics of parent–child interactions that are deemed crucial to understand the role of family anxiety disorder development and that are considered important to improve existing treatment strategies: parenting and attachment. It reviews the most important findings regarding the impact of parenting and attachment on the development of anxiety disorders. The chapter provides a more overarching perspective on the interrelationships between these two research fields. It aims to integrate both research fields into one theoretical model, explaining the link between parenting/attachment and anxiety disorder development as a result of affect-regulatory processes. Finally, the chapter explores how these insights might be applied to the improvement of anxiety treatment in youngsters.