Evaluating differential predictions of emotional reactivity during repeated 20% carbon dioxide-enriched air challenge

The present study explored psychological predictors of response to a series of three 25 second inhalations of 20% carbon dioxide-enriched air in 60 no nclinical participants. Multiple regression analyses indicated that only an xiety sensitivity physical concerns predicted self-reported fear, whereas b oth physical anxiety sensitivity concerns and behavioural inhibition sensit ivity independently predicted affective ratings of emotional arousal. In co ntrast, the psychological concerns anxiety sensitivity dimension predicted ratings of emotional displeasure (valence), and both psychological anxiety sensitivity concerns and behavioural inhibition sensitivity independently p redicted emotional dyscontrol. No variables significantly predicted heart r ate. These data are in accord with current models of emotional reactivity t hat highlight the role of cognitive variables in the production of anxious and fearful responding to somatic perturbation, and help further clarify th e particular predictors of anxiety-related responding to biological challen ge.