This study was conducted to determine if a relationship exists between social support and agoraphobia. Married agoraphobic women from a support group for phobics were compared with married, non-agoraphobic women from Family Practice clinics, and social support factors were examined. The agoraphobic women were found to perceive their husbands as less supportive. As well, there were important reductions in network size and network support in these agoraphobic women.
References
1.
CasselJThe contribution of the social environment to host resistance.Am J Epidemiol1976; 104(2): 107–123.
2.
CobbSSocial support as a moderator of life stress.Psychosom Med1976; 38(5): 300–314.
3.
ThoitsPAConceptual, methodological, and theoretical problems in studying social support as a buffer against life stress.J Health Soc Behav1982; 23: 145–159.
4.
BroadheadWE, KaplanBH, JamesSAThe epidemiologic evidence for a relationship between social support and health.Am J Epidemiol1983; 117(5): 521–537.
5.
TurnerRJSocial support as a contingency in psychological well-being.J Health Soc Behav1981; 22: 357–367.
6.
CaplanGSupporting systems and community mental health.New York: Behavioural Publications,1974.
7.
SheehanDV, SheehanK, MinichielloWEAge of onset of phobic disorders: a reevaluation.Compr Psychiatry1981; 22(6): 544–553.
8.
BrehonyKAWomen and agoraphobia: a case for the etiological significance of the feminine sex-role stereotype. In: FranksV, RothblumED eds. The stereotype of women.New York: Springer Publishing Company,1983.
BrughaT, ConroyR, WalshNSocial networks, attachments and support in minor affective disorders: a replication.Psychiatry1982; 141: 249–255.
11.
BrownGW, BhrolchainMN, HarrisTSocial class and psychiatric disturbance among women in an urban environment.Sociology1975; 9: 225–254.
12.
MillerP McC, InghamJGFriends, confidants and symptoms.Soc Psychiatry1976; 11: 51–58.
13.
RoyAVulnerability factors and depression in women.Br J Psychiatry1978; 133: 106–110.
14.
GoeringP, WasylenkiD, LanceeWJ, FreemanSJJSocial support and post hospital outcome for depressed women.Can J Psychiatry1983; 28: 612–618.
15.
HafnerRJThe husbands of agoraphobic women: assortative mating or pathogenic interaction?Br J Psychiatry1977; 130: 233–239.
16.
HafnerRJThe husbands of agoraphobic women and their influence on treatment outcome.Br J Psychiatry1977; 151: 289–294.
17.
BuglassD, ClarkeJ, HendersonASA study of agoraphobic housewives.Psychol Med1977; 7: 73–86.
18.
KaplanB, CasselJ, GoreSSocial support and health.Medical Care1977; 15: 47–58.
19.
CampbellDT, StanleyJCExperimental and quazi experimental designs for research.Chicago: Rand McNally & Co.,1970.
20.
McFarlaneAM, NealeKA, NormanGRMethodological issues in developing a scale to measure social support.Schizophr Bull1981; 7(1): 90–100.
21.
MarksIM, MathewsAMBrief standard self-rating for phobic patients.Behav Res Ther1979; 17: 263–267.
22.
MarksIMPersonal correspondence, 1984.
23.
McFarlaneAH, NormanGR, StreinerDLA longitudinal study of the influence of the psychosocial environment on health status: a preliminary report.J Health Soc Behav1980; 21: 124–133.
24.
RappMThe mass media and the diagnosis of agoraphobia. Letter to the Editor.Can Psychiatr Assoc J1978; 23(4): 275–276.
25.
Thomas-PeterBA, JonesRB, SinnottA, FordmanASPrediction of outcome in the treatment of agoraphobia.Behav Psychother1983; 11(4): 320–328.
26.
BarlowDH, O'BrienGT, LastCGCouples treatment of agoraphobia.Behav Res Ther1984; 15: 41–58.
27.
HafnerRJPredicting the effects on husbands of behaviour therapy for wives' agoraphobia.Behav Res Ther1984; 22(3): 217–226.
28.
SchwartzLS, ValERAgoraphobia: a multi-model treatment approach.Am J Psychother1984; 38(1): 35–46.
