Incremental associations between facets of anxiety sensitivity and posttraumatic stress and panic symptoms among trauma-exposed adults.
The present investigation examined incremental associations between anxiety sensitivity (AS) subfactors (e.g. physical, psychological, and social concerns) and posttraumatic stress and panic symptoms among trauma-exposed adults. These effects were examined above and beyond other theoretically relevant factors, including negative affectivity and number of types of trauma exposures. The 239 participants were selected from a university- and community-based sample (129 women; mean age = 23.0 years; SD = 9.6, range = 18-65), all of whom endorsed exposure to traumatic life events. The AS psychological concerns and AS physical concerns lower order factors evidenced distinct associations with posttraumatic stress symptoms and panic-relevant symptoms, respectively. Specifically, the AS psychological concerns facet was significantly incrementally predictive of posttraumatic stress-relevant avoidance symptoms. The AS physical concerns facet was significantly incrementally predictive of panic-relevant symptoms, including anxious arousal, body vigilance, and perceived control over anxiety-related events. Results are discussed in the context of the relevant theoretical literature pertaining to shared vulnerability and comorbidity between posttraumatic stress and panic.
Vujanovic
Anka A
AA
Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0134, USA.
Zvolensky
Michael J
MJ
Bernstein
Amit
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament; D014707:Vermont / Q000453:epidemiology