Anxiety sensitivity as a vulnerability factor for the development of panic disorder

Biglbauer, Sonja. (2014). Anxiety sensitivity as a vulnerability factor for the development of panic disorder. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Jurin, Tanja].

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Abstract

Anxiety sensitivity is a relatively new construct which has been studied for the past 20 years. The recent studies showed that higher levels of this specific trait are a risk factor for the development of panic disorder. The aim of this longitudinal study (3-year period apart) was to determine whether anxiety sensitivity is a predictor of panic disorder and which dimension of anxiety sensitivity is the strongest predictor of panic disorder. In addition, we wanted to examine the dynamics of anxiety sensitivity among participants who experienced the symptoms associated with panic disorder and those who did not. The study was conducted on a sample of female students from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb (n=464). Participants filled out the Diagnostic Criteria for Panic Disorder Questionnaire (following the DSM-IV criteria), the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (Peterson & Reiss, 1987) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983). According to the findings, anxiety sensitivity is a risk factor for the development of panic disorder. Trait anxiety was also found a significant predictor. The physical concerns dimension of anxiety sensitivity was the only significant predictor of panic disorder. In the second study wave, the levels of anxiety sensitivity were significantly higher only among the participants who met the criteria for panic disorder.

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