Risk Factors Relevant to Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Separation anxiety disorder was previously often used to describe children; however, the age limit was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) and a new symptom called adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) was added to it. Nevertheless, because this is a relatively new field, the risk factors of developing separation anxiety disorder in adults are less clear. This article reviews the definitions and differences of separation anxiety in adults and children and evaluates the risk factors for adult separation anxiety in the literature. These factors include intolerance to uncertainty, sensitivity to anxiety, attachment style, and other mental disorders. This paper describes the effects of these factors on adult separation anxiety and presents limitations of existing research and recommendations for future development in this field. The purpose of this article is to make more people understand what adult separation anxiety is, to distinguish it from children's separation anxiety and to understand what risk factors can affect and cause adult separation anxiety. Another purpose of this article is to help people prevent and intervene in adult separation anxiety disorders.