Influence of vulnerability factors in panic disorder severity.
BACKGROUND
We studied herein the predictive value for panic severity of three well-based vulnerability factors: personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion; NEO-PI-R), anxiety sensitivity (ASI), and perceived control (ACQ-R).


METHODS
The sample was composed of 52 participants diagnosed with panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria.


RESULTS
Our results revealed that the anxiety facet is a better predictor of panic severity than neuroticism. Anxiety sensitivity increases the predictive value for panic severity and, finally, perception of control of emotions is the only perception control subscale that increases the predictive value for panic severity more than the anxiety facet and anxiety sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding supports the assumption of the importance of taking into account the assessment of the lower order dimensions of the vulnerability factors in the field of psychopathology studies. Furthermore, the predictive value of perception of control of emotions indicates the importance of this specific vulnerability factor in the etiology of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) and, thus, shows the necessity to include emotion regulation strategies in the psychological treatments.
Universidad de Zaragoza.
Jorge
J
Osma López
Juan R
JR
Barrada González
Azucena
A
García-Palacios
Cristina
C
Botella Arbona
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index