The Burden of Anxiety Disorders on the Family
Abstract
It is well established that individuals with anxiety disorders experience significant impairments in social and occupational functioning. However, the impact of anxiety disorders on family members has not been adequately studied. The objective of the present study was to examine the burden experienced by relatives of anxiety disorder patients. In all, 74 outpatients and 74 family members participated in the study. Family members completed measures that assessed the impact of having an anxiety disordered relative. Results indicate that family members experience significant burden. The burden encompasses several domains including negative effects on physical health, psychological well-being, and family functioning. Burden was positively correlated with the severity of the patient's condition. The presence of a comorbid mood disorder in patients was associated with increased burden. Health-care professionals should assess the impact of anxiety disorders on the patient's family and provide interventions to reduce burden and improve the quality of life of family members.
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Anxiety is a common issue among couples that harms their marital life.
“Anxiety is a common issue among couples that harms their marital life [5].”
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- Authors
- Senaratne, R., Van Ameringen, M., Mancini, C., & Patterson, B.
- Affiliations
- McMaster University (CA)
- McMaster University Medical Centre (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Senaratne, Rhandi
- Venue
- Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease
- Published
- 2010-12
- Volume
- 198
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 876-880
- ISSN
- 0022-3018 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2026174497
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
- Keywords
- anxiety disorders, family burden, relatives of patients, family functioning, psychological well-being, physical health effects, comorbid mood disorders, disease severity, quality of life, caregiver burden
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Family, Family Relations, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Mental Health, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Regression Analysis, Cost of Illness
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