Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a well-established individual difference variable reflecting the tendency to fear bodily sensations associated with anxious arousal. AS is composed of three subfactors including physical, cognitive, and social concerns. Although AS has been consistently linked to the development and maintenance of several anxiety disorders, little research has examined the relationship between AS subfactors and obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms. The primary aim of the current investigation was to extend previous research by examining the relationships between these constructs within a clinical population. The sample consisted of 76 treatment seeking adults with a primary diagnosis of OCD. Multiple regression analyses revealed that AS was significantly associated with OC symptom severity even after controlling for anxiety and MDD diagnoses. In addition, the three subfactors of AS were found to be differentially related to the five OC symptom domains (checking, ordering, neutralizing, washing, and obsessing). These results corroborate previous work suggesting a unique and important relationship between AS and OC symptoms. In addition, the current study provides initial evidence clarifying the nature of this relationship within an OCD population.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	obsessive-compulsive disorder, internet, treatment, anxiety
Research Division:	Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Research Group:	Psychology
Research Field:	Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Other Health
Objective Field:	Health not elsewhere classified
Author:	Wootton, BM (Dr Bethany Wootton)
ID Code:	90059
Year Published:	2014
Web of Science® Times Cited:	14
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2014-03-26
Last Modified:	2014-08-08
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