Family structure can impact locus of control, a dimension of causality in the development in anxiety. First-born children, who typically receive more undivided attention from parents and do not have to compete with siblings for resources, tend to develop a stronger internal locus of control compared to later-born children.  Additionally, family size is important, with later-born children in larger families more likely to develop an external locus of control, possibly due to increased competition for parental attention and resources.

University of Maryland, College Park

There are several influences on one's sense of control, whether it be internalized or from the environment. 

Influences on Sense of Control

Chorpita, B. F., & Barlow, D. H. (1998). The development of anxiety: the role of control in the early environment. Psychological bulletin, 124(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.124.1.3

Reference: The Development of Anxiety: The Role of Control in the Early Environment

Some children can be more resistant to developing helplessness through their conceptions of their abilities and their goal orientation. Children who believe that their abilities can grow and change are less prone to developing helplessness, as they carry with them the possibility of improvement. In addition, children who view goals as an opportunity for learning rather than just focusing on their performance are more resistant. On the contrary, children who associate their performance with self worth are more likely to develop helplessness.

Ability Theory and Goal Orientation

According to the reformulated learned helplessness theory, an individual's attributional style for life events is a key factor in the development of depression. This style is characterized by three dimensions of explanation for an outcome: internal vs. external (attributing the cause to personal factors or situational factors), stable vs. unstable (viewing the cause as permanent or changeable), and global vs. specific (seeing the cause as affecting all areas of life or just one). Research indicates that individuals who consistently make internal, stable, and global attributions for negative events perceive a greater lack of control, which increases their vulnerability to developing depression.

Attributional Style

A study conducted on baboons demonstrated that the stability of a social hierarchy had influence on stress and anxiety. Dominant male baboons in an unstable social hierarchy environment displayed higher amounts of cortisol compared to baboons in a stable social hierarchy. Rather than social rank being the cause of this stress, it was actually lack of control over social interactions and unpredictability of aggression that contributed to this stress. This shows that stability and control over one's social position play a role in the development stress and anxiety.

Unstable Social Hierarchy 

Family Structure

Two dimensions within parenting style can can hinder or develop a child's sense of control: responsiveness and autonomy. Parents who are more consistently responsive provide their children with more opportunity to be in control, fostering an internal locus of control. Parents that also offer more autonomy, independence, and exploration help develop a sense of control. On the contrary, overprotective and intrusive parents are linked to children with a higher external locus of control. 

Parenting Style

Self-efficacy and control remains a constant theme in the development of anxiety. Children who can cope and manage stressful situations build resilience and a stronger sense of control, factors that can guard against anxiety. The resulting resilience or helplessness development are dependent on the predictability and control over stressors. In addition, it is better for recovery periods between stressors, rather than consistent stress.

Learn Before

Related