[Anxiety in the family]

The authors present the conceptual framework of the development and transmission of anxiety in the family system based on M. Bowen and general system theories. Anxiety is conceptualized as the reaction of family members to the disturbance in relational balance within the family system. The hypothesis that blurred boundaries within the family system are responsible for development, transmission and maintenance of anxiety in the family system is presented and supported with clinical examples. The ways of transmission of anxiety within the nuclear family and the phenomenon of transgenerational transmission are described. At the end the authors discussed practical implications of the presented theory for family therapy. Work with families with high level of anxiety should support the development of clear boundaries within the family system which leads to processes of separation and autonomy of family members.