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Differences in Anxiety Sensitivity Among Black and White Veterans
Ava K Fergerson1,2, Emily A Cordova2, Darius Dawson3,4,5
1Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS), New Orleans, LA, USA.
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
|May 2, 2023
Summary
Black veterans show higher anxiety sensitivity, a key risk factor for anxiety disorders, compared to White veterans. This finding underscores the need for targeted interventions for this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Veterans Health
Background:
- Black Americans face higher risks for severe anxiety disorder consequences.
- Identifying modifiable risk and maintenance factors is crucial for this demographic.
- Anxiety sensitivity is a known predictor of anxiety disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate racial differences in anxiety sensitivity between Black and White veterans.
- To examine disparities in anxiety sensitivity facets (physical and cognitive concerns) among veterans.
- To identify anxiety sensitivity as a potential risk factor in Black veterans presenting to a PTSD clinic.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 285 veterans (58% Black, 77% Male) at a VA hospital PTSD clinic.
- Utilized diagnostic interviews and a battery of self-report questionnaires.
- Compared anxiety sensitivity total scores and subfacet scores between racial groups.
Main Results:
- Black veterans reported significantly higher overall anxiety sensitivity than White veterans.
- Elevated levels of physical and cognitive anxiety sensitivity concerns were observed in Black veterans.
- Anxiety sensitivity differences persisted across subfacets, indicating distinct racial disparities.
Conclusions:
- Anxiety sensitivity is a significant and elevated risk factor among Black veterans.
- Racial differences in anxiety sensitivity warrant further investigation for clinical implications.
- Future research should explore the modifiability of anxiety sensitivity in Black veteran populations.
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