A new study by researchers at Rutgers finds that poor mothers
are more likely to be classified with generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD) because they live in poverty, not because they
are suffering from a psychiatric disorder. Judith C. Baer,
Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Social Work, and
her team argue that although high levels of prolonged stress can
lead to psychological problems, there is no evidence that
generalized anxiety disorder in poor mothers is because of a
psychiatric disorder. The researchers note that their findings
confirm earlier studies that the poorest mothers have the
greatest odds of being classified as having generalized anxiety
disorder. But Baer and her team report, “there is no evidence
for a malfunction of some internal mechanism. Rather, there is a
physical need in the real world that is unmet and produces
anxiety.” “The distinction is important because there are
different ways to treat the problem,” Baer said. “While
supportive therapy and parent skills-training are