Anxiety sensitivity is a cognitive, individual difference variable that is differentiated by an individual's fear of anxiety sensations and centred on the belief that such sensations result in harmful consequences. In order to test anxiety sensitivity, Reiss, Peterson, Gursky, and McNally (1986) developed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI). However, one contentious issue in the area concerns the factor analytic structure of anxiety sensitivity and this has important consequences for the construct. Numerous investigations have been conducted using the ASI, and the results have varied appreciably with some researchers arguing for a unidimensional construct. However the general consensus now is that anxiety sensitivity is multidimensional. It has been argued that the repeated attempts to clarify the dimensionality of anxiety sensitivity, using the 16-item ASI, is problematic because the scale was never designed to measure a multidimensional construct in the first instance. Thus, the objective of the dissertation was to critically examine the anxiety sensitivity construct by using an expanded, multidimensional measure of anxiety sensitivity referred to as the Anxiety Sensitivity Index - Revised ([ASI-R] Taylor & Cox, 1998) and establish the psychometric properties of the measure by conducting a series of empirical investigations to assess the clinical utility of the measure. A series of three empirical investigations are presented in the current dissertation. The first investigation aimed to critically examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the ASI-R. Confirmatory factor analysis using a clinical sample of adults revealed that the ASI-R could be improved substantially through the removal of 15 problematic items in order to account for the most robust dimensions of anxiety sensitivity. The modified measure was re-named the 21-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (21-item ASI) and re-analysed with a large sample of nonclinical adults, revealing configural and metric invariance across groups. Further, comparisons with other alternative models that also include comparisons with previous published ASI models indicated the 21-item ASI to be the best fitting model for both groups. There was also evidence of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity for both samples. The aim of the second investigation was to critically examine differences between and within various anxiety classifications, a mood disorder classification, and a nonclinical control sample, with respect to both general and specific dimensions of anxiety sensitivity as identified by the 21-item ASI. In most instances, the results revealed that the differences between and within the diagnostic groups were consistent with theoretical expectations. Finally, the third investigation aimed to examine differences within each diagnostic category before and after cognitive behavioural therapy in order to provide a further test of validity for the revised 21-item ASI. The results revealed significant differences within all but one diagnostic group on the pre and post-treatment scores, using the global and specific dimensions of the 21-item ASI. The strengths, theoretical contribution, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed. It is concluded that the overall findings relating to the series of empirical investigations presented in the current dissertation make a significant and valid theoretical contribution to the field of anxiety sensitivity in particular, and anxiety research in general, by enhancing our understanding of anxiety sensitivity and how the 21-item ASI can be used to improve therapeutic interventions in clinical practice.

Individuals high in anxiety sensitivity (AS), a cognitive risk factor denoting a fear of anxiety-related sensations (Reiss & McNally, 1985), may be at increased risk of misinterpreting nicotine withdrawal-relevant interoceptive cues as harmful, thus amplifying their risk for panic problems. This study tested the moderating role of AS on the association between nicotine withdrawal and panic-relevant responding to a carbon dioxide-enriched air laboratory challenge. Specifically, it was hypothesized that AS moderates the relation between nicotine withdrawal (group status) and responding to a carbon dioxide-enriched air procedure (controlling for anticipatory anxiety, gender, negative affectivity, number of axis I diagnoses, and average daily smoking rate), as indexed by: (1) level of anxiety focused on bodily sensations and intensity of panic attack symptoms; (2) skin conductance reactivity; and (3) level of behavioral avoidance of a future challenge. To test this hypothesis, 90 daily smokers (35 women; Mage = 28.87, SD = 12.12, Range = 18-60 years) were enrolled and enlisted to attend two study sessions. At the conclusion of the first session, participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (12-hour nicotine deprivation or smoking ‗as usual‘). At the second scheduled session, participants in both groups underwent a 10% carbon dioxide-enriched air laboratory challenge to assess panic-relevant responding. Contrary to hypothesis, the AS by nicotine withdrawal (group status) interactive effect was not significantly predictive of post-challenge anxiety, panic attack symptoms, skin conductance reactivity, or behavioral avoidance. However, post hoc tests indicated that the AS by nicotine withdrawal (group status) interaction was significantly predictive of peri-challenge anxiety ratings. Furthermore, post hoc tests demonstrated that between-group (significant) differences in withdrawal symptoms diminished after the first assessment of the challenge session. Results are discussed in the context of the theoretical and clinical implications of the current work, limitations of the current study, and future directions for work relevant to this line of inquiry.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Not available / text

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Southern Mississippi, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-229).

Thesis (Ph.D.) in Psychology--University of Maine, 2009. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-178).

Thesis (M.S.)--Villanova University, 2006. / Psychology Dept. Includes bibliographical references.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, highlighting the need to better understand contributors to under-exercise and overeating. Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) is hypothesized to amplify negative affect and avoidance motives, and has been linked to maladaptive coping behaviors such as eating pathology as well as distress during and avoidance of exercise. The current series of studies was designed to extend research that relied on self-report assessments, and investigate the role of AS in objectively-assessed eating and exercise behavior across three community samples. The first two studies examined eating in the context of experimentally-induced negative affect in a sample representing all weight categories (N = 57); and distress, perceived exertion, and affect changes during exercise in normal and obese weight groups (N = 38). The third study extended this investigation to a naturalistic setting, using actigraphy, affect, and dietary monitoring across a three-day period in normal and obese weight groups (N = 32). The hypotheses were that AS would predict more eating in the context of negative affect; greater perceived exertion and distress during exercise, as well as avoidance of exercise, with findings most pronounced in obese participants. Results were as follows. In the first study, more calories consumed following a negative affect induction was predicted by the interaction between a dimension of AS (mental concern) and the expectancy of loss of control from eating in overweight/obese participants. In the second study, there was no significant association between AS and ratings of exertion or distress during exercise; however, a trend suggested the expected affective benefits of acute exercise were not evident in obese participants with greater AS and exertion. The final study found that AS was associated with more calories consumed across the monitoring period in women but not men (who were equally represented across AS and weight groups), and was also predictive of more calories consumed in the context of negative affect. Additionally, high AS predicted less engagement in moderate-intensity exercise in obese participants and more in normal weight participants. Overall, these studies provide support for the hypothesis that AS is a predictor of both exercise avoidance and overeating behavior.

Dissociation may be broadly described as a subjective experience in which information from the individual's internal or external environment is not appropriately integrated into conscious awareness, memory or identity. A number of studies have found an association between dissociative experience and anxious arousal, and in particular, between dissociation and trauma. Recent reviews suggest the existence of an unspecified mediating variable that accounts for these associations. The present study compared dissociative experiences reported by a community sample (N = 74) and a sample of individuals with a range of anxiety disorders (N = 20). The potential influence of anxiety sensitivity was a particular focus. Participants completed a battery of measures assessing dissociative experience, anxious arousal, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, panic and agoraphobia, traumatic experience and posttraumatic stress in addition to measures of anxiety sensitivity and substance use. Participants in the anxiety group reported a greater variety and frequency of dissociative experiences, particularly of experiences considered to be pathological in nature. Elevated dissociation scores were associated with somatic symptoms of anxiety, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, agoraphobia and posttraumatic stress. No association between trauma exposure and dissociation was evident; however, trauma intensity was associated with dissociation in the anxiety group. Symptoms of depersonalisation / derealisation and absorption were most strongly associated with increased anxiety. Anxiety Sensitivity accounted for more of the variance in dissociation scores than did measures of expressed anxiety. These results suggest that anxiety sensitivity may account for the relationship between trauma anxiety and dissociation. Therapeutic intervention directed at anxiety sensitivity, particularly fear of cognitive discontrol, may prove helpful in treating dissociative detachment.

Dissociation may be broadly described as a subjective experience in which information from the individual's internal or external environment is not appropriately integrated into conscious awareness, memory or identity. A number of studies have found an association between dissociative experience and anxious arousal, and in particular, between dissociation and trauma. Recent reviews suggest the existence of an unspecified mediating variable that accounts for these associations. The present study compared dissociative experiences reported by a community sample (N = 74) and a sample of individuals with a range of anxiety disorders (N = 20). The potential influence of anxiety sensitivity was a particular focus. Participants completed a battery of measures assessing dissociative experience, anxious arousal, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, panic and agoraphobia, traumatic experience and posttraumatic stress in addition to measures of anxiety sensitivity and substance use. Participants in the anxiety group reported a greater variety and frequency of dissociative experiences, particularly of experiences considered to be pathological in nature. Elevated dissociation scores were associated with somatic symptoms of anxiety, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, agoraphobia and posttraumatic stress. No association between trauma exposure and dissociation was evident; however, trauma intensity was associated with dissociation in the anxiety group. Symptoms of depersonalisation / derealisation and absorption were most strongly associated with increased anxiety. Anxiety Sensitivity accounted for more of the variance in dissociation scores than did measures of expressed anxiety. These results suggest that anxiety sensitivity may account for the relationship between trauma anxiety and dissociation. Therapeutic intervention directed at anxiety sensitivity, particularly fear of cognitive discontrol, may prove helpful in treating dissociative detachment.