Clarifying the relationship between AS dimensions and PTSD symptom clusters: are negative and positive affectivity...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The link between anxiety sensitivity (AS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is recognized, but specific dimensional relationships remain debated.
• Limited research has explored the AS-PTSD connection while considering negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To resolve conflicting findings on how AS dimensions relate to PTSD symptom clusters.
• To investigate the roles of NA and PA in the AS-PTSD association.

Main Methods:

• Hierarchical regression analyses were employed.
• The study examined the predictive power of AS dimensions on PTSD symptom clusters.
• NA and PA were included as covariates.

Main Results:

• AS somatic concerns significantly predicted reexperiencing, numbing, and hyperarousal clusters of PTSD symptoms.
• AS cognitive concerns were uniquely associated with hyperarousal.
• AS socially observable symptoms did not significantly predict any PTSD symptom clusters.
• These associations remained significant after controlling for NA and PA.

Conclusions:

• AS somatic concerns emerge as a key predictor in the AS-PTSD relationship.
• NA and PA are theoretically important variables that influence the AS-PTSD connection.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering specific AS dimensions and affective states in understanding PTSD.