The role of family and supporter accommodation in late-life anxiety

Courtney Muir; Viviana M. Wuthrich; Carly J. Johnco

doi:10.1080/07317115.2025.2492132

The role of family and supporter accommodation in late-life anxiety

Courtney Muir, Viviana M. Wuthrich, Carly J. Johnco^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

51 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Family accommodation (e.g. providing excessive reassurance, facilitating avoidance) is widespread and exacerbates anxiety in children and young adults, however has not been examined in older adults. There are reasons to expect that family accommodation may also exacerbate anxiety in later life. However, it is important to consider that age-related changes in physical or cognitive abilities may necessitate the need for functional assistance from others during assessment. This study aimed to examine the phenomenology and clinical correlates of family accommodation in older adults.

METHODS: Participants were 32 community-dwelling older adults, aged 60-88 ( M = 69.78, SD = 8.62; 31% with a probable anxiety disorder) and their supporters. Dyads reported on supporter accommodation, mental health and functional ability and completed a behavioral stress task designed to elicit behavioral accommodation (intrusiveness, reassurance, and avoidance).

RESULTS: 80% of supporters of older adults with anxiety engaged in accommodation.Accommodation was associated with greater anxiety severity, but not functional ability.

CONCLUSIONS: Family accommodation is common from supporters of older adults with anxiety, and linked to increased anxiety. Assessment and modification of these environmental reinforcers may be important targets for treatment.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Accommodation is an important environmental factor maintaining late-life anxiety, and should be reduced.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1081-1098
Number of pages	18
Journal	Clinical Gerontologist
Volume	48
Issue number	5
Early online date	15 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2025.2492132
Publication status	Published - 20 Oct 2025

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2025. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

anxiety, older adult, geriatric
avoidance
family accommodation
reassurance

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10.1080/07317115.2025.2492132Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Publisher version (open access)Final published version, 858 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "The role of family and supporter accommodation in late-life anxiety",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: Family accommodation (e.g. providing excessive reassurance, facilitating avoidance) is widespread and exacerbates anxiety in children and young adults, however has not been examined in older adults. There are reasons to expect that family accommodation may also exacerbate anxiety in later life. However, it is important to consider that age-related changes in physical or cognitive abilities may necessitate the need for functional assistance from others during assessment. This study aimed to examine the phenomenology and clinical correlates of family accommodation in older adults.METHODS: Participants were 32 community-dwelling older adults, aged 60-88 ( M = 69.78, SD = 8.62; 31\% with a probable anxiety disorder) and their supporters. Dyads reported on supporter accommodation, mental health and functional ability and completed a behavioral stress task designed to elicit behavioral accommodation (intrusiveness, reassurance, and avoidance). RESULTS: 80\% of supporters of older adults with anxiety engaged in accommodation.Accommodation was associated with greater anxiety severity, but not functional ability.CONCLUSIONS: Family accommodation is common from supporters of older adults with anxiety, and linked to increased anxiety. Assessment and modification of these environmental reinforcers may be important targets for treatment.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Accommodation is an important environmental factor maintaining late-life anxiety, and should be reduced.",

keywords = "anxiety, older adult, geriatric, avoidance, family accommodation, reassurance",

author = "Courtney Muir and Wuthrich, \{Viviana M.\} and Johnco, \{Carly J.\}",

note = "Copyright the Author(s) 2025. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.",

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AU - Muir, Courtney

AU - Wuthrich, Viviana M.

AU - Johnco, Carly J.

N1 - Copyright the Author(s) 2025. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

PY - 2025/10/20

Y1 - 2025/10/20

N2 - OBJECTIVES: Family accommodation (e.g. providing excessive reassurance, facilitating avoidance) is widespread and exacerbates anxiety in children and young adults, however has not been examined in older adults. There are reasons to expect that family accommodation may also exacerbate anxiety in later life. However, it is important to consider that age-related changes in physical or cognitive abilities may necessitate the need for functional assistance from others during assessment. This study aimed to examine the phenomenology and clinical correlates of family accommodation in older adults.METHODS: Participants were 32 community-dwelling older adults, aged 60-88 ( M = 69.78, SD = 8.62; 31% with a probable anxiety disorder) and their supporters. Dyads reported on supporter accommodation, mental health and functional ability and completed a behavioral stress task designed to elicit behavioral accommodation (intrusiveness, reassurance, and avoidance). RESULTS: 80% of supporters of older adults with anxiety engaged in accommodation.Accommodation was associated with greater anxiety severity, but not functional ability.CONCLUSIONS: Family accommodation is common from supporters of older adults with anxiety, and linked to increased anxiety. Assessment and modification of these environmental reinforcers may be important targets for treatment.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Accommodation is an important environmental factor maintaining late-life anxiety, and should be reduced.

AB - OBJECTIVES: Family accommodation (e.g. providing excessive reassurance, facilitating avoidance) is widespread and exacerbates anxiety in children and young adults, however has not been examined in older adults. There are reasons to expect that family accommodation may also exacerbate anxiety in later life. However, it is important to consider that age-related changes in physical or cognitive abilities may necessitate the need for functional assistance from others during assessment. This study aimed to examine the phenomenology and clinical correlates of family accommodation in older adults.METHODS: Participants were 32 community-dwelling older adults, aged 60-88 ( M = 69.78, SD = 8.62; 31% with a probable anxiety disorder) and their supporters. Dyads reported on supporter accommodation, mental health and functional ability and completed a behavioral stress task designed to elicit behavioral accommodation (intrusiveness, reassurance, and avoidance). RESULTS: 80% of supporters of older adults with anxiety engaged in accommodation.Accommodation was associated with greater anxiety severity, but not functional ability.CONCLUSIONS: Family accommodation is common from supporters of older adults with anxiety, and linked to increased anxiety. Assessment and modification of these environmental reinforcers may be important targets for treatment.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Accommodation is an important environmental factor maintaining late-life anxiety, and should be reduced.

KW - anxiety, older adult, geriatric

KW - avoidance

KW - family accommodation

KW - reassurance

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SN - 0731-7115

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SP - 1081

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JO - Clinical Gerontologist

JF - Clinical Gerontologist

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ER -

The role of family and supporter accommodation in late-life anxiety

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