Causal modeling of relations among learning history, anxiety sensitivity, and panic attacks

We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesis that chil dhood instrumental and vicarious learning experiences influence frequency o f panic attacks in young adulthood both directly, and indirectly through th eir effects on anxiety sensitivity (AS), A total of 478 university students participated in a retrospective assessment of their childhood learning exp eriences for arousal-reactive sensations (e.g., nausea, racing heart, short ness of breath, dizziness) and arousal-non-reactive sensations (i.e., olds, aches and pains. and rashes). SEM revealed that learning history for arous al-reactive somatic symptoms directly influenced both AS levels and panic f requency; AS directly influenced panic frequency; and learning history for arousal-non-reactive symptoms directly influenced AS but did not directly i nfluence panic frequency. These results are consistent with the findings of previous retrospective studies on the learning history origins of AS and p anic attacks, and provide the first empirical evidence of a partial mediati on effect of AS in explaining the relation between childhood learning exper iences and panic attacks in young adulthood. Implications for understanding the etiology of panic disorder are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.