Agoraphobia-The Fear of Open Spaces. Digital image. Transhumanmedicine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.transhumanmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Agoraphobia.jpg>.
Sociocultural Factors
Researchers are not so sure what really causes phobias. But there are factors that increase the chance that a phobia can develop.
- Social Factors: these are related to gender differences. According to statistics agoraphobia is more common in women. The hypothesis that can explain the gender prevalence of agoraphobia is the gender role socialization. This hypothesis shows that girls are though to more fearful and timid in public than men. Women are more engaged in helpless behaviors unlike men who usually turn to alcohol or other independent measures due to traditional roles. Another hypothesis that explains the gender differences on agoraphobia prevalence is based on mother daughter relationship. Mothers seem to give messages to their daughters about being separate people. This can lead women to be more fragile and weak sense of internal psychological boundaries. Which causes them to stay in their home where they are safer.
- Studies show that one of the biggest problems for anxious people are to face social situations and public spaces like shops, restaurants and busses (Davidson 2002). This forces people with agoraphobia to get coping strategies to manage their anxieties and they simplest one is avoidance in which they stay in their home.
- Phobia content may vary in certain cultures. Research has indicated that African Americans are more likely to have phobias than whites (Eaton et al. 1991). Some studies have shown that specific phobias are not so common in people who are born in the US or immigrant Mexican-Americans than Mexican Americans born in the US. Research also suggests that phobias can be presented if the individual has a lower socioeconomic level.
- Genetics: It is seen in research that some phobias run in families. For example, twins who are not raised together, they are raised in different places, may develop the same phobia. But there are also many people with phobias have no relatives with a phobia.
There need to be a combination of these factors in order for the phobia to develop. But more research is necessary so it can be supported and conclusion is reached.
Freidman,Steven.Cultural Issues in the Treatment of Anxiety.New York, NY: The Guilford Press,1997. print.
“Specific Phobias.” http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Specific-phobias.html#b.web. 28 April 2013.
Morrow, Alina. “Conditions and Diseases: Psychological and Mental Health.” http://www.omnimedicalsearch.com/conditions-diseases/agoraphobia-causes-risk-factors.html.web. 23 April 2013.
LeMouse, Mack. “Agoraphobia Causes, Agoraphobia Symptoms.” http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12382/1/Agoraphobia-Causes-Agoraphobia-Symptoms.html. web. 22 April 2013.