Anxiety Sensitivity and Tobacco Use: A Transdiagnostic Approach

Abstract

Background: In recent years, several studies have found a relationship between transdiagnostic variables, such as anxiety sensitivity (AS) and tobacco use and smoking cessation. Method: In this line, the aim was twofold: 1) to analyze sex differences in variables related to tobacco and AS and 2) to examine the mediating effect of AS. For this purpose, the sample consisted of 340 smokers (Mage = 33.59 years, SD = 11.98, 68.5% women). Results: The results showed that men smoked more cigarettes per day and women had higher levels of total, physical, and cognitive AS. The structural equation model confirmed that AS is a mediator variable between the number of cigarettes per day and nicotine dependence, and the number of previous cessation attempts. Conclusions: These findings suggest that transdiagnostic variables, such as AS, and sex differences, must be taken into account in smoking cessation interventions.