Symptom accommodation—behaviors that family members engage in either to prevent or alleviate a loved one’s anxiety—is ubiquitous in families with relatives affected by fear-based disorders (FBDs), yet little research has examined the extent to which certain psychological factors predict symptom accommodation. The current study examined several potential predictors (e.g., empathic concern) among co-residing relatives of individuals diagnosed with FBDs. Participants (n = 53) completed a series of clinical interviews and self report measures. Results indicated that accommodation occurred to similar degrees across relatives with various relationships to the individual with a FBD, as well as across different FBDs. Further, the predictors jointly explained a significant amount of variance in accommodation; although, no single construct emerged as a unique predictor. Empathic concern and expressed emotion emerged as marginally significant predictors of symptom accommodation. Conclusions, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
CITATION STYLE
Reuman, L., & Abramowitz, J. S. (2018). Predictors of Accommodation Among Families Affected by Fear-Based Disorders. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 49(1), 53–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-017-0728-x
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