Laboratory test of a novel structural model of anxiety sensitivity and panic vulnerability.
The current study evaluated a novel latent structural model of anxiety sensitivity (AS) in relation to panic vulnerability among a sample of young adults (N=216). AS was measured using the 16-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI; Reiss, Peterson, Gursky, & McNally, 1986), and panic vulnerability was indexed by panic attack responding to a single administration of a 4-minute, 10% CO(2) challenge. As predicted, vulnerability for panic attack responding to biological challenge was associated with dichotomous individual differences between taxonic AS classes and continuous within-taxon class individual differences in AS physical concerns. Findings supported the AS taxonic-dimensional hypothesis of AS latent structure and panic vulnerability. These findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and clinical implications.
Bernstein
Amit
A
Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel. abernstein@psy.haifa.ac.il
Zvolensky
Michael J
MJ
Zvolensky
Michael J
MJ
Schmidt
Norman B
NB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010200:Panic; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult