title: The mediating role of anxiety sensitivity in the relation between avoidant coping and posttraumatic stress among trauma-exposed HIV+ individuals.
abstract: The current study examined the mediating role of anxiety sensitivity in regard to the relation between avoidant coping and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms among trauma-exposed persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). Participants included 103 PLHA (18.4% female, Mage = 48.33, SD = 9.34). Results indicated significant positive indirect effects for avoidant coping through anxiety sensitivity on overall PTS symptoms (point estimate = .27, PB 95% CI [.01, .65]), PTS hyperarousal symptoms (point estimate = .09, PB 95% CI [.01, .21]), and PTS avoidant symptoms (point estimate = .14, PB 95% CI [.03, .30]). The observed findings were statistically significant and evident above and beyond the variance accounted for by CD4 cell count, race, sex, recruitment site, and lifetime number of traumatic events experienced. The results may indicate that avoidant coping affects PTS symptoms through anxiety sensitivity among trauma-exposed PLHA. These findings highlight the importance of anxiety sensitivity in relation to PTS symptoms among PLHA, and the possibility of adapting anxiety sensitivity reduction training for PTS symptoms among PLHA.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Houston.
authors: Charles P
authors: CP
authors: Brandt
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Houston.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Zvolensky
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
authors: Anka A
authors: AA
authors: Vujanovic
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Vermont.
authors: Kristin W
authors: KW
authors: Grover
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Vermont.
authors: Julianna
authors: J
authors: Hogan
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Houston.
authors: Jafar
authors: J
authors: Bakhshaie
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stony Brook University.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000276:immunology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009513:New Hampshire; D009519:New York City; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D014707:Vermont