FEAR OF PHYSICAL SENSATIONS AND TRAIT ANXIETY AS MEDIATORS OF THE RESPONSE TO HYPERVENTILATION IN NONCLINICAL SUBJECTS

Three studies were conducted to compare the ability of a measure of fe ar of physical sensations (Anxiety Sensitivity Index; ASI) and a measu re of trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI) to predict r esponse to hyperventilation. In the first study subjects (N = 43) were selected who differed in scores on the ASI but were equated on levels of trait anxiety. Two other studies were conducted in which subjects (ns = 63 and 54) varied randomly on ASI and STAI scores. The results i ndicate that scores on the ASI account for a significant proportion of variance in the response to hyperventilation that is not accounted fo r by scores on the STAI.