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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 ,
Yasmin Rey ,
Kristin Nichols-Lopez  and
Wendy K. Silverman
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: [email protected]
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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.

Keywords

Anxietyanxiety sensitivityanxiety controlyouth sexchildrenadolescents
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 36 , Issue 4: Anxiety of Childhood and Adolescence , July 2008 , pp. 391 - 402
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008

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