Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

This research study will look at the risk and protective factors that predispose an individual to developing an anxiety disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder. The factors that will be examined include, but are not limited to: trauma (eg. sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, family trauma, history of loss); health issues (obsesity); psychological factors (intolerance to uncertainty, perfectionism, coping strategies); expressed emotion; external environmental factors (substance use, alcohol abuse); and attachment to family members as a child. If we can identify the biological, psychological, and environmental factors that play a part in predicting and triggering GAD, then we will be able to better determine who has a high likelihood of developing GAD and take the appropriate measures to try to decrease this likelihood and improve personal health.