Prospective evaluation of the etiology of anxiety sensitivity: test of a scar model

A large body of research has suggested that anxiety sensitivity (AS) acts a s a specific vulnerability factor in the development of anxiety pathology. More recently, attention has turned to the etiology of AS per se. The prese nt study represents a specific test of a Scar model of AS. A Scar model pos its that the experience of distress will affect the vulnerability factor. W e were specifically interested in evaluating the effects of a specific stre ssor (spontaneous panic) as well as general distress on changes in AS over time. A large nonclinical sample of young adults (N = 1296) was prospective ly followed over a five week highly stressful period of time (i.e. military basic training). Findings were consistent with the Scar model and suggeste d that the specific stressor of experiencing a panic attack as well as gene ral stressors creating significant anxiety symptoms uniquely contributed to increased levels of AS (regardless of prior history of panic). Moreover, t he experience of spontaneous panic in the context of generally low levels o f distress (both anxiety and depression) appeared to be particularly pernic ious in terms of resulting in greater increases in AS. In sum, anxiety-rela ted stressors appear to have the potential to 'scar' individuals in regard to this cognitive vulnerability factor. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.