The mediating role of anxiety sensitivity in the relation between avoidant coping and posttraumatic stress among trauma-exposed HIV+ individuals

Psychological Trauma : Theory, Research, Practice and Policy
Charles P BrandtAdam Gonzalez

Abstract

The current study examined the mediating role of anxiety sensitivity in regard to the relation between avoidant coping and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms among trauma-exposed persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). Participants included 103 PLHA (18.4% female, Mage = 48.33, SD = 9.34). Results indicated significant positive indirect effects for avoidant coping through anxiety sensitivity on overall PTS symptoms (point estimate = .27, PB 95% CI [.01, .65]), PTS hyperarousal symptoms (point estimate = .09, PB 95% CI [.01, .21]), and PTS avoidant symptoms (point estimate = .14, PB 95% CI [.03, .30]). The observed findings were statistically significant and evident above and beyond the variance accounted for by CD4 cell count, race, sex, recruitment site, and lifetime number of traumatic events experienced. The results may indicate that avoidant coping affects PTS symptoms through anxiety sensitivity among trauma-exposed PLHA. These findings highlight the importance of anxiety sensitivity in relation to PTS symptoms among PLHA, and the possibility of adapting anxiety sensitivity reduction training for PTS symptoms among PLHA.

Citations

Oct 1, 2015·Current HIV/AIDS Reports·Sara LeGrandKathryn Whetten
May 14, 2016·International Journal of Behavioral Medicine·Charles Philip BrandtMichael J Zvolensky
Oct 28, 2015·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes·Ewa PisulaWojciech Pisula
Jan 11, 2017·Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services·Charles P BrandtUNKNOWN HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) Group

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anxiety Disorders

Discover the latest research on anxiety disorders including agoraphobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder here.