The Influence of Hurricane Exposure and Anxiety Sensitivity on Panic Symptoms

摘要

Trauma exposure has been associated with panic symptoms in adult samples,but little is known about the relationship between trauma and panic in children. Anxietysensitivity (AS),or the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations, may help explain therelationship between trauma and panic. To examine relationships among trauma, anxietysensitivity, and panic symptoms, data were collected from youth in the New Orleans area5-8 months after Hurricane Katrina (N = 302) and again 17-18 months after the hurricane(N = 110). At time one (T1), AS predicted panic symptoms beyond hurricane exposure. Attime two (T2), AS measured at time two (T2) predicted panic symptoms beyond ASmeasured at T 1 . Clinical implications of the present findings are discussed.