Publication Date

2015

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Valentiner, David P.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

LCSH

Psychology; Psychology; Anxiety sensitivity--Research

Abstract

This thesis examines the roles of anxiety sensitivity, related constructs, and implicit theories constructs in uniquely predicting state anxiety in response to an interoceptive challenge. Because anxiety sensitivity appears to be a target of treatment for panic, it is important to understand anxiety sensitivity and related constructs (distress tolerance, intolerance of uncertainty, experiential avoidance, and discomfort intolerance). Implicit theories constructs were also examined (implicit theories of emotion, implicit theories of physiological arousal, and implicit theories of sensation transience). It was hypothesized that anxiety sensitivity and related constructs would mediate the relationship between implicit theories constructs and state anxiety. Participants completed measures of anxiety sensitivity, related constructs, and implicit theories constructs before an overbreathing task. Only distress tolerance uniquely predicted anxiety. All implicit theories variables uniquely predicted discomfort intolerance. No implicit theories variables uniquely predicted anxiety. No mediation analyses were conducted. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Comments

Advisors: David Valentiner.||Committee members: Michelle Lilly; Kevin Wu.

Extent

128 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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