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The Relations between Anxiety Sensitivity and Anxiety Control in the Prediction of Anxiety Symptoms among Children and Adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2008

Carla E. Marin
Affiliation:
Florida International University, Miami, USA
Yasmin Rey
Affiliation:
Florida International University, Miami, USA
Kristin Nichols-Lopez
Affiliation:
Florida International University, Miami, USA
Wendy K. Silverman*
Affiliation:
Florida International University, Miami, USA
*
Reprint requests to Wendy K. Silverman, Florida International University – Psychology, University Park Campus, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199, USA. E-mail: silverw@fiu.edu
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Abstract

The present study investigated the relations between youth anxiety sensitivity and perceived anxiety control over Internal Reactions and perceived anxiety control over External Threats within the context of a (partially) mediated model in the prediction of anxiety symptoms. Youth sex also was investigated as a moderator of the conceptual model. The sample consisted of 333 children and adolescents (51.4% boys; M = 10.27 years old) referred to a youth anxiety disorders specialty research clinic. Findings showed that high anxiety sensitivity predicted high levels of anxiety symptoms for both boys and girls. Findings also showed that for both boys and girls, high anxiety sensitivity predicted low perceived anxiety control over Internal Reactions, as well as low perceived anxiety control over External Threats. Interestingly, perceived anxiety control over Internal Reactions was a partial mediator of the relation between anxiety sensitivity and anxiety for boys, but not girls. In contrast, perceived anxiety control over External Threats was a partial mediator of the relation between anxiety sensitivity and anxiety for girls, but not boys. The results are discussed within the context of the study's conceptual model as well as potential clinical implications.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008
Figure 0

Figure 1. Partially mediated model of the relations among youth anxiety sensitivity, anxiety control, and anxiety symptoms

Figure 1

Table 1. Means, standard deviations and correlations of study variables

Figure 2

Figure 2. Relevant path coefficients (unstandardized) for boys and girls for the equal forms model

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