Childhood environment of women having panic disorder with agoraphobia

Abstract This study characterizes the childhood environment of adult women having panic disorder with agoraphobia, with particular emphasis placed on parental rearing practices, family conflict resolution, experiences of sexual mistreatment, problematic childhood indicators, and childhood separation experiences. The retrospective research design included attitudinal and behavioral indicators for 80 female patients diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia, and a control group of 100 female volunteers with no history of psychiatric illness. Study findings did not support evidence of parental overprotection, parental death, devorce, or sexual mistreatment as risk factors. Results did suggest the significance of childhood separation anxiety, a conflicted family environment, lack of parental warmth and support, and the presence of chronic physical illness and substance abuse in the chilhood home of patients, as well as more emotional, family, alcohol, and school problems as children and adolescents.