Abstract
This review poses the question, is it possible to prevent the development of anxiety
disorders through selective interventions? The article begins with a review of the
major psychosocial risk factors for anxiety disorders. Evidence is reviewed to support
the role of inhibited temperament, parent anxiety, environmental support of avoidant
coping, and vicarious and instructional learning of avoidance as risks for anxiety.
It is argued that the central focus of these risks is an inhibited temperament and
that the other risk factors are likely to be both moderated and mediated by this temperamental
style. Thus, a clear option for prevention would be to modify early inhibition. Some
preliminary data are presented from the Macquarie University Preschool Intervention
Project, a longitudinal study of a brief parent education program for the reduction
of inhibited temperament in preschool children. Although there remains considerable
room for stronger effects, preliminary results show clear promise that it may be possible
to modify early risk for anxiety disorders.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 2,
2002
Received in revised form:
June 26,
2002
Received:
February 28,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
