P03-301 - Anxiety sensitivity in patients with psychosis regarding a non-clinical sample

Abstract

IntroductionThere is increasing empirical evidence that links the classical separated psychopathological spectrums neurosis and psychosis. In this sense, anxiety is a factor for delusional/hallucinative development and maintenance (Freeman and Garety, 2003).ObjectivesWe intended to assess differences in Anxiety Sensitivity dimensions between patients with psychosis and a non-clinical sample.MethodsParticipants: 49 patients with DSM psychosis diagnosis (42 men and 7 women; mean age: 40), who attended a Mental Health Rehabilitation Service in 2008, were compared with a non-clinical sample (n = 582) from another study (Sandín, Valiente, Chorot and Santed, 2007).Design, materials and procedureA Cross-sectional design (one measurement) for a co-relational method of comparison between groups.We used the Spanish validated Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 -ASI 3- (Sandín et al., 2007), a 18-item Likert self-report that assesses fears of anxious symptoms. It presents a hierarchical structure (a general factor and three subscales -Physical, Cognitive and Social Concerns-). It's also used the first and third items (delusions and hallucinatory behaviour) of The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale -PANSS- (Kay, Opler and Lindenmayer, 1988) to detect positive symptoms.ResultsPatients present a higher anxiety sensitivity in the General Factor (t = 2.06, p < 0.05) and Cognitive Subscale (t = 3.91, p < 0.001) than nonpatient sample.ConclusionsPatients with psychosis show significant fears of symptoms of different anxious domains (ASI-total) regarding a non-clinical sample. Particularly, they are worried about the possibility that concentration difficulties and restlessness lead to mental incapacitation (ASI-cognitive).