Anxiety Sensitivity Prospectively Predicts Increased Acute Posttraumatic Stress and Related Symptoms After Sexual Assault

Abstract

Anxiety sensitivity is a potential risk factor for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and has been hypothesized to contribute to PTSS development. However, few prospective studies have evaluated whether anxiety sensitivity predicts PTSS. In a subsample of 48 women sexual assault survivors enrolled as part of a larger prospective observational study, elevated anxiety sensitivity measured via a brief assessment 1 week after experiencing a sexual assault was concurrently associated with PTSS at 1 week and prospectively predicted PTSS 6 weeks after the event, with small-to-medium effect sizes, η 2 p = .10, even after covarying for trauma history. Heightened anxiety sensitivity at 1-week postevent also interacted with time to predict anxiety and depression both before and after sexual assault, with medium-to-large effect sizes, η p 2 = .21-.24. This is consistent with research linking anxiety sensitivity to PTSS, but this was the first prospective study of which we are aware to demonstrate that anxiety sensitivity in the acute posttrauma period predicts PTSS among women who have recently experienced sexual assault. Future research should use the full Anxiety Sensitivity Index to replicate findings in a larger sample and explore whether targeting anxiety sensitivity could mitigate the development of PTSS in this vulnerable population. Nearly 100,000 women in the United States seek emergency care after sexual assault each year (Smith et al., 2018). More than half of women who experience sexual assault develop

Pandemic Fatigue and Anxiety Sensitivity as Associated Factors With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among University Students in South Korea During the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The influence of AS on PTSS is of great concern regarding university students [25,26]. Previous studies revealed that AS is a significant factor associated with PTSS [27,28], and there are positive relationships between AS and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity in military veterans [29], victims of domestic violence [30], and the general population [31]. Elevated trait AS was positively correlated with worry and fear of epidemic outbreaks during the Zika virus and Ebola virus epidemics [32,33].…”

Anxiety sensitivity and cannabis use motives among trauma‐exposed young adult cannabis users

“…This fits within prior research finding AS cognitive concerns are associated with increased cannabis withdrawal symptoms, 22 cannabis use in response to cravings, 23 and perceived barriers for quitting cannabis use, 24 but extend these associations to coping‐oriented cannabis use. AS cognitive concerns have been linked to a number of poor outcomes relevant to trauma‐exposed individuals, including increased PTSS 14 and insomnia, 16 suggesting it may be a particularly important facet of AS to assess and intervene upon in this population. This finding may be somewhat surprising since individuals with fears of cognitive dyscontrol could plausibly evaluate sensations associated with cannabis intoxication, such as trouble concentrating or derealization, as threatening.…”

“…Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is defined as the fear of sensations associated with anxious arousal, 12,13 sometimes termed the "fear of fear." AS is a transdiagnostic, cognitive-affective risk factor for both PTSS, 14 and substance use, 15 among other psychiatric conditions. 16 AS comprises three lower-order facets: physical concerns (e.g., elevated heart rate is interpreted as, "I am going to have a heart attack"), cognitive concerns (e.g., mental confusion is perceived as, "I am losing my mind"), and social concerns (e.g., blushing is believed to cause others to "judge me negatively").…”

Acceptability of a smartphone‐based intervention targeting anxiety sensitivity among women receiving emergency care after sexual assault: A pilot uncontrolled trial

“…AS, or the fear of anxious arousal, is hypothesized to promote the interpretation of typical posttraumatic reactions as threatening, thus motivating avoidance and maintaining a sense of threat (McHugh et al., 2017; Schmidt et al., 2019). Consistent with this hypothesis, AS has been shown to be elevated among individuals with PTSD (Taylor et al., 1992) and prospectively predicts PTSD symptom onset, severity, and course (Boffa et al., 2016; Short, Lechner, Bell, et al., 2020, 2022; Marshall et al., 2010). Indeed, our research team has found that higher levels of peritraumatic AS predict heightened PTSD, depression, and anxiety after sexual assault (Short, Lechner, Bell, et al., 2020).…”

“…Consistent with this hypothesis, AS has been shown to be elevated among individuals with PTSD (Taylor et al., 1992) and prospectively predicts PTSD symptom onset, severity, and course (Boffa et al., 2016; Short, Lechner, Bell, et al., 2020, 2022; Marshall et al., 2010). Indeed, our research team has found that higher levels of peritraumatic AS predict heightened PTSD, depression, and anxiety after sexual assault (Short, Lechner, Bell, et al., 2020).…”