Family functioning, perceived control, and anxiety: a mediational model

Abstract

Research has focused on defining which types of family interactions promote development of anxiety. Control has emerged as an important construct in anxious families. Central to conceptualizing the relationship between family functioning, control beliefs, and anxiety is establishing a sequential relationship among these variable, which may entail mediating or moderating relationships, or relationships that change over the course of development. The current study investigated whether control acts as a moderator or a mediator between perceived family environment and anxiety in your adults. An undergraduate sample (N=364) completed the family assessment device (FAD), anxiety control questionnaire (ACQ), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and a demographic questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test both moderating and mediating models. No moderating effects were found. Sense of control mediated the relation between aspects of family functioning and anxiety. Theoretical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.