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Chorot P, Valiente RM, Sandín B. The Spanish Version of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index: Factorial Dimensions and Invariance across Gender in a Sample of Adolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3045. [PMID: 36833740 PMCID: PMC9958708 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety sensitivity is a transdiagnostic construct that has been associated with the etiology of emotional disorders, especially panic and other anxiety disorders. Although it is well known that, for the adult population, the factor structure of anxiety sensitivity includes three separate facets (physical, cognitive, and social concerns), the facets of anxiety sensitivity for adolescents have not yet been established. The main goal of the present study was to examine the factor structure of the Spanish version of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI). A large sample of nonclinical adolescents completed the Spanish version of the CASI in school settings (N = 1655; aged 11-17 years; 800 boys and 855 girls). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the full scale (CASI-18) indicate that a three first-order factor solution represents appropriately the three anxiety sensitivity facets previously defined for the adult population. The 3-factor structure had a better fit and was more parsimonious than a 4-factor solution. Results also indicate that the 3-factor structure remains invariant across genders. Girls scored significantly higher than boys on the total scale and on all three dimensions of anxiety sensitivity. In addition, the present study provides information concerning normative data for the scale. The CASI holds promise as a useful tool for assessing general and specific facets of anxiety sensitivity. It could be helpful for the assessment of this construct in clinical and preventive settings. The limitations of the study and suggestions for further research are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bonifacio Sandín
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Sofis MJ, Budney AJ, Stanger C, Knapp AA, Borodovsky JT. Greater delay discounting and cannabis coping motives are associated with more frequent cannabis use in a large sample of adult cannabis users. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 207:107820. [PMID: 31887604 PMCID: PMC7147078 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-regulation deficits expressed through a decreased ability to value future rewards (delay discounting (DD)) and impaired emotion regulation (negative urgency (NU), cannabis coping motives (CCM), and anxiety sensitivity (AS)) relate to more frequent or problematic cannabis use. However, there is a need to better understand how self-regulation and emotion regulation constructs reflect competition between deliberative and reactive systems that drive individual differences in cannabis use patterns. Further, few studies assess frequency of cannabis use within and across days of use, which may obscure differentiation of individual differences. METHODS In a large national sample of 2545 cannabis users, Latent Class Analysis was used to derive participant sub-classes based on two frequency indices, self-reported cannabis use days and times cannabis was used per day. Three classes emerged: Low (1-9 days/month, 1 time/day; 23 %), moderate (10-29 days/month, 2-3 times/day; 41 %), and high (30 days/month, ≥4 times/day; 36 %). Relationships among frequency classes and emotional regulation and impulsivity were assessed with a multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Higher frequency use was associated with greater DD (χ2 = 6.0, p = .05), greater CCM (χ2 = 73.3, p < .001), and lower cognitive AS (χ2 = 12.1, p = .002), when controlling for demographics, tobacco use, and number of cannabis administration methods. Frequency class and NU were not significantly associated. CONCLUSIONS Identifying meaningful patterns of cannabis use may improve our understanding of individual differences that increase risk of frequent or problematic cannabis use. Excessive delay discounting and using cannabis to cope with negative affect may be relevant targets for treatments designed to reduce cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Sofis
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, 46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 315, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Alan J Budney
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, 46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 315, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Catherine Stanger
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, 46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 315, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Ashley A Knapp
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs), 750 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jacob T Borodovsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8134, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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Fairweather-Schmidt AK, Wade TD. Common genetic architecture and environmental risk factors underpin the anxiety-disordered eating relationship: Findings from an adolescent twin cohort. Int J Eat Disord 2020; 53:52-60. [PMID: 31429983 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite established comorbidity between anxiety and disordered eating (DE), and a plethora of research using various methodologies to examine this overlap, use of twin modeling to expose whether a shared genetic liability underpins these conditions remains rare. METHOD Data from a longitudinal sample of female twins were selected: measures of risk for DE from Wave 1 (N = 699, 351 pairs, aged 12-15 years), and the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) and Children's Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI) from Wave 2 (N = 669, 338 pairs, aged 16-19 years). At this time, they also completed Children's Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI). Bivariate Cholesky decomposition models adjusting for age and body mass index centile investigated the covariance structure between the CASI and EDE. RESULTS Modeling both genetic and nonshared environmental influences parsimoniously fit these data. All paths were significant. Additive genetic influences were notable for CASI and EDE phenotypes; 14% of the heritable variance was contributed by CASI to the expression of EDE. There was also a smaller but significant contribution of nonshared environmental influences. A multinomial logistic regression indicated body dissatisfaction (RRR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.07-2.18) differentiated groups with highest EDE scores from the highest CASI scores. DISCUSSION Shared genetic and environmental influences appear to underpin the relationship, and potentially the observed comorbidity, between anxiety sensitivity and DE. The age of onset is typically earlier for anxiety than DE, suggesting a significant opportunity for early intervention work to reduce the likelihood of subsequent development of DE.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kate Fairweather-Schmidt
- Discipline of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tracey D Wade
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Francis SE, Noël VA, Ryan SL. A Systematic Review of the Factor Structure of Anxiety Sensitivity Among Children: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Directions. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-019-09502-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Rappaport LM, Sheerin C, Savage JE, Hettema JM, Roberson-Nay R. Clinical characteristics of latent classes of CO 2 hypersensitivity in adolescents and young adults. Behav Res Ther 2017; 93:95-103. [PMID: 28395158 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2017.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Although breathing CO2-enriched air reliably increases anxiety, there is debate concerning the nature and specificity of CO2 hypersensitivity to panic risk and panic disorder versus anxiety disorders and related traits broadly, particularly among adolescents and emerging adults. The present study sought to clarify the association of CO2 hypersensitivity with internalizing conditions and symptoms among adolescents and young adults. Participants (N = 628) self-reported anxiety levels every 2 min while breathing air enriched to 7.5% CO2 for 8 min. Growth mixture models were used to examine the structure of anxiety trajectories during the task and the association of each trajectory with dimensional and diagnostic assessments of internalizing disorders. Three distinct trajectories emerged: overall low (low), overall high (high), and acutely increased anxiety (acute). Compared to the low class, the acute class reported elevated neuroticism, anxiety sensitivity, and stress whereas the high class reported elevated anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, neuroticism, anxiety sensitivity, and increased likelihood of an anxiety disorder diagnosis. Moreover, the acute and high classes reported experiencing a panic-like event at a higher rate than the low class while participants in the high class terminated the task prematurely at a higher rate. The present study clarifies the nature of response to CO2 challenge. Three distinct response profiles emerged, which clarifies the manifestation of CO2 hypersensitivity in anxiety disorders with strong, though not unique, associations with panic-relevant traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance M Rappaport
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Christina Sheerin
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Jeanne E Savage
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - John M Hettema
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Roxann Roberson-Nay
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E Leigh Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Bilsky SA, Feldner MT, Knapp AA, Babson KA, Leen-Feldner EW. The interaction between anxiety sensitivity and cigarette smoking level in relation to sleep onset latency among adolescent cigarette smokers. J Adolesc 2016; 51:123-32. [PMID: 27351343 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking during adolescence is linked to a number of sleep disturbances and has been consistently linked to sleep onset latency among adults. However, little research has examined factors that may influence the relation between cigarette smoking level and sleep onset latency among adolescents. One factor that may be particularly important in this regard is anxiety sensitivity (AS). The current study examined whether cigarette smoking level interacted with AS in its association with sleep onset latency among 94 adolescent (Mage = 15.72) cigarette smokers. As hypothesized, AS interacted with smoking level to relate to sleep onset latency, even after controlling for age and gender. This relation was specific to sleep onset latency as opposed to other types of sleep disturbances, and that adolescents who smoked at higher levels tended to go to sleep later and wake up later than adolescents who smoked at relatively lower levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Bilsky
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
| | - Matthew T Feldner
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Ashley A Knapp
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Kimberly A Babson
- National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ellen W Leen-Feldner
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
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Bilsky SA, Feldner MT, Knapp AA, Rojas SM, Leen-Feldner EW. The roles of sex, anxious reactivity to bodily arousal, and anxiety sensitivity in coping motives for cigarette smoking among adolescents. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2016; 24:147-155. [PMID: 27054780 PMCID: PMC4891293 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that smoking to cope among adolescents is associated with a number of problematic outcomes (e.g., greater smoking frequency, higher rates of dependence). It is thus imperative to better understand factors that may increase the likelihood of smoking to cope among adolescents. Research suggests anxiety sensitivity (AS) is associated with smoking to cope among adults, although the link between AS and coping motives for cigarette use among youth is less clear. Gender differences have also been noted in AS. The current study investigates this association using a biological challenge paradigm. Specifically, the indirect effects of anxious reactivity to bodily arousal on the relation between the physical and mental AS factors and coping motives for cigarette smoking were examined within a sample of 108 adolescent cigarette smokers. Gender was examined as a moderator. Results suggested significant indirect effects of self-reported anxiety in response to bodily arousal on the relation between physical AS and coping motives for cigarette smoking. This indirect effect was moderated by gender, such that it was significant for females but not males. Models examining AS mental concerns and psychophysiological responding to the challenge were not significant. These results suggest that, relative to their low AS counterparts, female adolescents high in physical concerns respond with elevated anxiety in response to interoceptive arousal and, in turn, endorse elevated coping-related smoking motives. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for understanding the nature and origins of coping-related smoking motives and how such information can be used to inform intervention efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Bilsky
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR,Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Sarah A. Bilsky, University of Arkansas, Department of Psychological Science, Arkansas Interdisciplinary Sciences Laboratory, 216 Memorial Hall, Fayetteville, AR, 72701; ; phone: (479) 575-3523; Ellen Leen-Feldner,
| | - Matthew T. Feldner
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR,Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK
| | - Ashley A. Knapp
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
| | - Sasha M. Rojas
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
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Knapp AA, Blumenthal H, Mischel ER, Badour CL, Leen-Feldner EW. Anxiety Sensitivity and Its Factors in Relation to Generalized Anxiety Disorder among Adolescents. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2015; 44:233-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s10802-015-9991-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Brown HM, Waszczuk MA, Zavos HMS, Trzaskowski M, Gregory AM, Eley TC. Cognitive content specificity in anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms: a twin study of cross-sectional associations with anxiety sensitivity dimensions across development. Psychol Med 2014; 44:3469-3480. [PMID: 25066519 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291714000828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The classification of anxiety and depressive disorders has long been debated and has important clinical implications. The present study combined a genetically sensitive design and multiple time points to investigate cognitive content specificity in anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms across anxiety sensitivity dimensions, a cognitive distortion implicated in both disorders. METHOD Phenotypic and genetic correlations between anxiety sensitivity dimensions, anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms were examined at five waves of data collection within childhood, adolescence and early adulthood in two representative twin studies (n pairs = 300 and 1372). RESULTS The physical concerns dimension of anxiety sensitivity (fear of bodily symptoms) was significantly associated with anxiety but not depression at all waves. Genetic influences on physical concerns overlapped substantially more with anxiety than depression. Conversely, mental concerns (worry regarding cognitive control) were phenotypically more strongly associated with depression than anxiety. Social concerns (fear of publicly observable symptoms of anxiety) were associated with both anxiety and depression in adolescence. Genetic influences on mental and social concerns were shared to a similar extent with both anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS Phenotypic patterns of cognitive specificity and broader genetic associations between anxiety sensitivity dimensions, anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms were similar at all waves. Both disorder-specific and shared cognitive concerns were identified, suggesting it is appropriate to classify anxiety and depression as distinct but related disorders and confirming the clinical perspective that cognitive therapy is most likely to benefit by targeting cognitive concerns relating specifically to the individual's presenting symptoms across development.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Brown
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,UK
| | - M A Waszczuk
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,UK
| | - H M S Zavos
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,UK
| | - M Trzaskowski
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,UK
| | - A M Gregory
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths,University of London,UK
| | - T C Eley
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,UK
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Cognitive Vulnerabilities for Depression and Anxiety in Childhood: Specificity of Anxiety Sensitivity and Rumination. Behav Cogn Psychother 2014; 44:30-42. [DOI: 10.1017/s1352465814000472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background: Childhood anxiety and depression frequently co-occur. Exploring specificity in cognitive processes for anxiety and depression in childhood can provide insight into cognitive vulnerabilities contributing to the development of anxiety and depressive disorders and inform targeted psychological interventions. Anxiety sensitivity and rumination are robust cognitive vulnerabilities for anxiety and depression, respectively. However, despite conceptual similarities, they are rarely considered together within a single study. Aims: The current study explored specific and shared associations between anxiety sensitivity subscales and rumination and anxiety and depressive symptoms in unselected children. Method: Multiple regression analyses explored to what extent specific self-reported anxiety sensitivity subscales (physical, social and mental concerns) and rumination predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms in 147 unselected children, aged 7–11 years. Results: Physical and social concern subscales of anxiety sensitivity were specifically associated with anxiety, whilst rumination was specifically associated with depressive symptoms. The mental concerns subscale of anxiety sensitivity was independently associated with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. These associations were only partially mediated by rumination. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression in young people are characterized by specific and shared cognitions. Evidence for shared and specific associations between the cognitive vulnerabilities of anxiety sensitivity and rumination, and anxiety and depression highlight the utility of transdiagnostic research and confirm that cognitive therapies may benefit from targeting cognitive concerns relating specifically to the patient's presenting symptoms.
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Huizink AC, Menting B, Oosterman M, Verhage ML, Kunseler FC, Schuengel C. The interrelationship between pregnancy-specific anxiety and general anxiety across pregnancy: a longitudinal study. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2014; 35:92-100. [PMID: 25093467 DOI: 10.3109/0167482x.2014.944498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High levels of prenatal maternal anxiety - either pregnancy-specific anxiety or general anxiety - may have detrimental effects on both the mother and her child. It is currently unknown how these two different expressions of anxiety influence each other over time during pregnancy. AIMS This study aimed to describe the relationship between state, trait and pregnancy-specific anxiety levels across pregnancy. METHODS Longitudinal data from three data-waves of a large-scaled sample of nulliparous normal risk pregnant women were used to display associations over time by means of autoregressive and cross-lagged panel models. RESULTS Cross-lagged, cross-time pathways from pregnancy-specific anxiety to state as well as trait anxiety were positively significant, while vice versa the most consistent links were found from trait anxiety to pregnancy-specific anxiety. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that pregnancy-specific anxiety and general anxiety appear to influence each other over time, resulting in heightened anxiety for some soon-to-be mothers.
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Capron DW, Norr AM, Macatee RJ, Schmidt NB. Distress tolerance and anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns: testing the incremental contributions of affect dysregulation constructs on suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Behav Ther 2013; 44:349-58. [PMID: 23768663 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Revised: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Empirical work has suggested relationships among suicide-related outcomes and several constructs related to affect dysregulation, notably anxiety sensitivity (AS) and distress tolerance (DT). However, important questions remain, including the relative contributions of these affect regulation variables as well as the direct contribution of DT on suicidal ideation and prior attempts. The current study sought to better elucidate the nature of these relationships by examining AS, DT, and suicidal ideation and attempt in a clinical sample (N=192). Consistent with prior work and prediction, findings revealed a significant relationship between the AS cognitive concerns subfactor and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt history after accounting for the effects of DT, gender, and depressive symptoms. In addition, depressive symptoms significantly moderated the relationship between the AS cognitive concerns subfactor and suicidal ideation. After accounting for the influence of AS, analyses revealed that DT approached significance in predicting suicidal ideation, but did not significantly predict suicide attempt history. These results suggest that elevated AS cognitive concerns are particularly relevant to suicide in the context of depressive symptoms. Clinicians may benefit from implementing AS reduction strategies with individuals who endorse elevated suicide risk as well as elevated AS cognitive concerns.
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Brown HM, McAdams TA, Lester KJ, Goodman R, Clark DM, Eley TC. Attentional threat avoidance and familial risk are independently associated with childhood anxiety disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2013; 54:678-85. [PMID: 23176633 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Twin studies in children reveal that familial aggregation of anxiety disorders is due to both genetic and environmental factors. Cognitive biases for threat information are considered a robust characteristic of childhood anxiety. However, little is known regarding the underlying aetiology of such biases and their role in anxiety disorders. METHOD A face version of the dot-probe task measuring attentional biases for negative (anger, fear, sad, disgust) and positive (happy) facial expressions was completed by 600, 8-year-old twins; the largest study of its kind. Twin correlations for attentional bias scores were compared to estimate genetic and environmental effects. Parent-report diagnostic interviews identified children with an anxiety disorder. Indices of inferred genetic and familial risk for anxiety disorders were created for each child. Data were analysed using a series of logistic regressions. RESULTS Anxious children showed greater attentional avoidance of negative faces than nonanxious children; t (548) = 2.55, p < .05. Attentional avoidance was not under genetic or shared environmental influence. Risk for anxiety disorders was predicted by familial factors. Both attentional avoidance and inferred familial risk were significant but independent predictors of anxiety disorders (ORs = .65 and 3.64, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Anxiety-related attentional biases and familial risk play important but independent roles in childhood anxiety disorders. If replicated, these findings indicate that links between genetic risk and anxiety disorders lie outside the domain of attentional processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Brown
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.
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Anxiety correlates with somatic symptoms and sleep status at high altitudes. Physiol Behav 2013; 112-113:23-31. [PMID: 23403037 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
High altitude exposure results in many physical and psychological discomforts, with anxiety and sleep disturbances being the most common ones. This cross-sectional study was performed to explore the relationship between anxiety, somatic symptoms, and sleep status at high altitude. A sample of 426 young males between 18 and 24 years old ascended from low-level land to 3600 m, where they acclimated for 40 days, before ascending to 4400 m. Questionnaires including the Louise Lake Score (LLS, for diagnosis of acute mountain sickness [AMS]), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were administered immediately before departure from 3600 m (40th day) and the day after arrival at 4400 m (20 days after the first data collection). Physiological parameters were also measured. We observed that 49 of 426 and 51 of 329 people were diagnosed with anxiety according to SAS at 3600 and 4400 m, respectively. Physical symptoms were more severe in subjects with anxiety, and the severity of anxiety was significantly positively correlated to the severity of insomnia and increased heart rate (HR). Overall, these data indicate that after 40 days acclimatization in 3600 m, anxious persons have more severe somatic symptoms. When ascending to higher altitudes, these individuals are more likely to develop AMS, show more severe symptoms, and are prone to insomnia and more serious daytime sleepiness. Insomnia and elevated HR are indicators of anxiety severity.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Mood disorders are expressed in many heterogeneous forms, varying from anxiety to severe major clinical depression. The disorders are expressed in individual variety through manifestations governed by co-morbidities, symptom frequency, severity, and duration, and the effects of genes on phenotypes. The underlying etiologies of mood disorders consist of complex interactive operations of genetic and environmental factors. The notion of endophenotypes, which encompasses the markers of several underlying liabilities to the disorders, may facilitate efforts to detect and define, through staging, the genetic risks inherent to the extreme complexity of disease state. AIMS This review evaluates the role of genetic biomarkers in assisting clinical diagnosis, identification of risk factors, and treatment of mood disorders. METHODS Through a systematic assessment of studies investigating the epigenetic basis for mood disorders, the present review examines the interaction of genes and environment underlying the pathophysiology of these disorders. RESULTS The majority of research findings suggest that the notion of endophenotypes, which encompasses the markers of several underlying liabilities to the disorders, may facilitate efforts to detect and define, through staging, the genetic risks inherent to the extreme complexity of the disease states. Several strategies under development and refinement show the propensity for derivation of essential elements in the etiopathogenesis of the disorders affecting drug-efficacy, drug metabolism, and drug adverse effects, e.g., with regard to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These include: transporter gene expression and genes encoding receptor systems, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis factors, neurotrophic factors, and inflammatory factors affecting neuroimmune function. Nevertheless, procedural considerations of pharmacogenetics presume the parallel investment of policies and regulations to withstand eventual attempts at misuse, thereby ensuring patient integrity. CONCLUSIONS Identification of genetic biomarkers facilitates choice of treatment, prediction of response, and prognosis of outcome over a wide spectrum of symptoms associated with affective states, thereby optimizing clinical practice procedures. Epigenetic regulation of primary brain signaling, e.g., serotonin and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function, and factors governing their metabolism are necessary considerations. The participation of neurotrophic factors remains indispensable for neurogenesis, survival, and functional maintenance of brain systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Archer
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Box 500, SE-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
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The Genesis 12–19 (G1219) Study: A Twin and Sibling Study of Gene–Environment Interplay and Adolescent Development in the UK. Twin Res Hum Genet 2012; 16:134-43. [DOI: 10.1017/thg.2012.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Genesis 12–19 (G1219) Study is an ongoing longitudinal study of a sample of UK twin pairs, non-twin sibling pairs, and their parents. G1219 was initially designed to examine the role of gene–environment interplay in adolescent depression. However, since then data have continued to be collected from both parents and their offspring into young adulthood. This has allowed for longitudinal analyses of depression and has enabled researchers to investigate multiple phenotypes and to ask questions about intermediate mechanisms. The study has primarily focused on emotional development, particularly depression and anxiety, which have been assessed at multiple levels of analysis (symptoms, cognitions, and relevant environmental experiences). G1219 has also included assessment of a broader range of psychological phenotypes ranging from antisocial behaviors and substance use to sleep difficulties, in addition to multiple aspects of the environment. DNA has also been collected. The first wave of data collection began in the year 1999 and the fifth wave of data collection will be complete before the end of 2012. In this article, we describe the sample, data collection, and measures used. We also summarize some of the key findings to date.
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