Predicting anxiety: The role of experiential avoidance and anxiety sensitivity

Anxiety sensitivity (AS), the tendency to fear arousal-related body sensations based on beliefs that they are harmful, is a strong psychological risk factor for development of anxiety psychopathology; however, in most studies AS explains only a portion of the variability in anxiety symptoms. Recent theoretical and research work has suggested that experiential avoidance (EA), unwillingness to endure unpleasant internal experiences (e.g., thoughts, emotions, memories), is related to anxiety disorders. The current study examined independent contributions of EA and AS in the prediction of anxiety symptoms in a sample of 42 adults with DSM-IV anxiety disorders. Participants completed measures of AS, EA, anxiety, and depression. Correlational analyses indicated associations between AS, EA, and anxiety, yet more conservative regression analyses indicated that the Physical Concerns dimension of AS predicted anxiety symptom severity independently of EA. Theoretical and treatment implications of the results are discussed.