[What role does psychosocial environment play in anxiety?]

Recent literature dealing with environmental life stress and anxiety is reviewed in this article. The role of psychosocial environment in both etiological and outcome factors of anxiety is evident and has been suggested by many theories. However, few studies have been conducted to explain this relation between life stress and anxiety. Mainly, studies have concerned recent life events and early separations. The link between life event and anxiety appears non specific and complex. Others factors may be taken in account like social context and coping styles. Recent models integrate both environmental factors and biological vulnerability. In particular, there has been an increasing focus on neurobiology of stress and anxiety. Further studies are necessary to specify the disorders and concepts under study and integrating biological and psychological factors in understanding the complex relationship of stress and anxiety.