Towards an understanding of anxiety sensitivity in the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Abstract

Current study proposed the symptom specificity of anxiety sensitivity (AS) on anxiety-specific and general distress symptoms but not on depression-specific symptoms measured by the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ) (Watson & Clark, 1991). Results from the longitudinal study in a Chinese university found support for it. The effects of neuroticism on AS and on symptoms of anxiety and depression were also examined. Results showed that direct effects of neuroticism were significantly associated to symptoms of anxiety and depression, but indirect effects of neuroticism mediated by a specific risk factor, AS, were significant only for anxiety-specific symptoms and general distress symptoms. Results are discussed in terms of AS as a unique risk factor predisposing anxiety pathology.