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Anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in post-concussive symptoms in a clinical sample
Brian J Albanese1, Joseph W Boffa1, Richard J Macatee1
1Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4301, USA.
Psychiatry Research
|March 13, 2017
Summary
Anxiety sensitivity, not distress tolerance, explains why women report more post-concussive symptoms after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Targeting anxiety sensitivity may reduce TBI-related symptom disparities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of disability.
- Women report more severe post-concussive symptoms (PCS) than men.
- Anxiety sensitivity (AS) and distress tolerance (DT) are potential gender-linked factors influencing PCS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if AS and DT mediate gender differences in PCS.
- To identify cognitive factors contributing to gender disparities in TBI outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 59 participants with a history of TBI.
- Statistical mediation analysis to assess the role of AS and DT.
Main Results:
- Anxiety sensitivity (AS) significantly mediated the relationship between gender and PCS.
- Distress tolerance (DT) did not significantly mediate gender differences in PCS.
- AS partially explained why women report greater PCS than men.
Conclusions:
- AS is a key cognitive risk factor for heightened PCS in women.
- Interventions targeting AS could reduce gender disparities in TBI recovery.
- Understanding AS is crucial for TBI prevention and treatment strategies, particularly for women.
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