Early Traumatic Life Events, Parental Rearing Styles, Family History of Mental Disorders, and Birth Risk Factors in Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder

50 German patients with social anxiety disorders & 120 healthy controls were investigated using a retrospective interview with 203 questions. Compared to controls, patients described their parents’ rearing styles as significantly more unfavourable. Patients reported higher rates of psychiatric disorders in their families in general, in particular anxiety disorders, depression, & suicidality. The present data suggest the aetiology of social anxiety disorder is multifactorial & that familial mental disorders & separation experiences are the most important contributing factors. (52 refs.) JA