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It is often believed that poverty-stricken mothers are more likely to have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) because they suffer from a psychiatric disorder. But a team of Rutgers researchers is now refuting that claim. 

According to the researchers, poor mothers are more likely to be classified as having the mental illness known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) because they live in poverty. 

The study is published online in Child and Adolescent Social Work. 

Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD) is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for worry, according to WebMD. About 4 million adult Americans suffer from GAD during the course of a year. It most often begins in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood. It is more common in women than in men.

The researchers say that although high levels of stress over long periods can lead to psychological problems, there is no evidence that generalized anxiety disorder in poor mothers is because of an "internal malfunction."

Previous studies concluded that the poorest mothers have the greater odds of being classified as having generalized anxiety disorder, but there is no evidence for a malfunction of some internal mechanism. However, researchers say that there is a physical need in the real world that is unmet and produces anxiety.

Researcher Judith C. Baer said the precise classification in important. 

"The distinction is important because there are different ways to treat the problem," Baer said. "While supportive therapy and parent skills-training are often helpful, sometimes the most appropriate intervention is financial aid and concrete services."

Rutgers researchers argue that changing and broadening definitions for GAD have caused, in some cases, mental health experts to categorize the reactions of these mothers to the extreme conditions they face daily as symptoms of the anxiety disorder.

Researchers have been exploring relationships between poor mothers and their children and whether links between poverty and maternal anxiety might play a part in their offspring developing anxiety of their own.

Data was analyzed for nearly 5,000 participants from the ongoing Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, consisting of surveys and home observations when children were 3-years-old. The anaysis confirmed that the poorest mothers had greater odds of being classified as having GAD but that the path from anxiety to parenting stress was not supported.

"This suggests that mothers can be poor and anxious, but still provide positive parenting for their children," Baer said. "Our findings suggest that anxiety in poor mothers is usually not a psychiatric problem but a reaction to severe environmental deficits. Thus, assessment should include careful attention to contextual factors and environmental deficits as playing a role in the presentation of symptoms. Labeling an individual with a diagnosis, especially if it is inaccurate, has a serious social stigma."