Anxiety sensitivity as a mechanism for gender discrepancies in anxiety and mood symptoms
Abstract
Despite the well-established gender differences in the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders, there is a dearth of research looking at sex-linked, variable risk factors that could serve as appropriate intervention targets to ameliorate these discrepancies. One such potential variable risk factor is anxiety sensitivity (AS), or a fear of anxiety related sensations. Studies have established elevated AS in women compared to men, and that AS prospectively predicts the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Additionally, research has demonstrated some specificity with regard to the lower-order AS dimensions (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether overall AS, as well as lower-order AS dimensions, statistically mediate the relations between gender and anxiety and depressive symptoms in a sample of individuals with elevated AS presenting for an AS intervention. Data for the current study were collected from participants (N = 106) at baseline prior to randomization to treatment condition. Results revealed that overall AS statistically mediated the relations between gender and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Significant statistical mediation was also found for AS physical and social concerns for anxiety symptoms, and AS cognitive concerns for depressive symptoms. These results suggest the possible importance of AS in the gender discrepancies in anxiety and depression. Future research should examine whether an AS intervention can help ameliorate this prevalence gap.
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Rumination, neuroticism, behavioral inhibition, worry, anxiety sensitivity, trauma, and low self-esteem correlated positively with anxiety, with all variables being typical of the female stereotype.
“Such studies showed that rumination, neuroticism, behavioral inhibition, worry, anxiety sensitivity, trauma, and low self-esteem correlated positively with anxiety, with all variables being typical of the female stereotype.33,44,51,55,65,73”
From Factors associated with gender and sex differences in anxiety prevalence and comorbidity: A systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as [51]
Anxiety sensitivity is a salient risk factor for women observed from the review.
“some of the most salient risk factors for women observed from our review were rumination33,44,49,65,73 and anxiety sensitivity.51,55,57,65”
From Factors associated with gender and sex differences in anxiety prevalence and comorbidity: A systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as [51]
Cites
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“Since women tend to have higher levels of anxiety and mood symptoms (Kessler et al., 2012; Maciejewski et al., 2001) as well as higher levels of AS (Deacon et al.”
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Farhane-Medina, N. Z., Luque, B., Tabernero, C., & Castillo-Mayén, R. (2022) · Science Progress · doi:10.1177/00368504221135469 · Cited by 409 · see citing works
“According to this statement, some of the most salient risk factors for women observed from our review were rumination(33,44,49,65,73) and anxiety sensitivity.(51,55,57,65) The results also suggest that gender socialization mediates the type of stimuli that are anxiogenic in women and men.”
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- Authors
- Norr, A. M., Albanese, B. J., Allan, N. P., & Schmidt, N. B.
- Affiliations
- Florida State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Schmidt, Norman B.
- Venue
- Journal of Psychiatric Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-03
- Volume
- 62
- Pages
- 101-107
- ISSN
- 0022-3956 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2063486206
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 5.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- anxiety sensitivity, gender differences, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, mediation, sex differences in mental disorders
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anxiety, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Sex Characteristics, Sex Factors, Mood Disorders, Young Adult
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