Life events and social support in a 1-year preceding panic disorder

The aim of the study was to examine the frequency and class of life events, as well as social support, in patients with panic disorder (with/without agoraphobia) (PD/PDA) in a 1-year period preceding the onset of panic attacks.

The study sample included 40 patients (PD/PDA) (of an average age of 39.25, SD 6.96), and 40 matched healthy controls (M 37.50, SD 8.05). The following instruments were applied: DSM-IV criteria for PD/PDA, Stressful Life Events Scale, Social Support Index (SSI), Family Coping Coherence Index (FCCI), Relative and Friend Support (RFS) and Family Hardiness Index (FHI). The study was retrospective.

Patients with PD/PDA compared to the healthy controls, had significantly increased frequency of negative life events (M 3.8, min 0, max 11) (p<0.05). With respect to the class of life events, PD/PDA patients reported significantly more frequently: mild somatic illness, serious somatic illness, conflict with a member of the extended family, separation from a significant person (p<0.05) and frequent marital conflicts (p<0.01). The patients compared to the healthy controls, had significantly lower level of social support by SSI, FHI, and FCCI (p<0.001). By RFS, there were no significant differences between the two groups.

Increased frequency of negative life events (particularly somatic illness, interpersonal conflicts and separation), combined with absence of the most part of the supportive quality of the environment (particularly family support), precede the development of PD/PDA in vulnerable persons.