Role of Parental Overprotection and Stressful Life Events in Occurrence of Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the role of perceived parental overprotection during childhood and experiences of stressful life events, as possible risk factors for the development of anxiety disorder in adulthood. Retrospective Ex post Facto Design was used as research design. The sample consisted of 400 adults (age range = 18 - 53 years); divided into clinical group (n = 200) and control group (n = 200). Symptom Checklist-R Anxiety subscale (SCL-A), Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) were administered. Independent sample t-test and Regression analysis were applied to analyze the data. The results showed that clinical group perceived their fathers and mothers significantly more overprotective and less caring than control group. Clinical group scored significantly higher on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale as compared to control group. Regression analysis revealed that mother overprotection positively predicted and father care negatively predicted anxiety in clinical group.