Fear, anxiety and perceived control in children of agoraphobic parents

Sixteen children (M = 11 years) of agoraphobic parents were compared with 16 children of parents with no history of psychopathology, matched on age, gender and socioeconomic status. The majority (68%) of children of agoraphobic parents met DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria, anxiety disorders being most common. They reported more fear and anxiety and less control over various risks than did comparison children. Groups' perceptions of the prevalence and their vulnerability to these risks did not differ. Agoraphobic mothers reported more separation anxiety than did comparison mothers, and maternal separation anxiety was negatively correlated with children's perceived control. Results are related to models of anxiety transmission.