Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised Research Articles

A Comparison among Emotional Memory, Emotional Styles, and Anxiety Sensitivity between Individuals with Substance Use Disorder and not Addicted People

Background: Emotions play an important role in the tendency to abuse substances but the roles of emotional memory, emotional styles, and anxiety sensitivity in addiction have not been clarified in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to study the emotional memory, emotional styles, and anxiety sensitivity among individuals with substance use disorder.
 Methods: In a prospective study, 30 patients with substance use disorder and 30 normal participants were selected by convenience sampling method from addicts who were hospitalized and outpatients who were admitted to addiction treatment camps of Ahar City. The emotional memory (verbal) test, the emotional styles questionnaire, and Anxiety Sensitivity Index- Revised (ASI-R) were used for data collection.
 Results: Multivariate analysis of variance showed that there is a significant difference between the levels of emotional memory (verbal positive, negative, and neutral) and the components of emotional styles (concealing, adjusting, and tolerating) among addicted and normal individuals. However, in anxiety sensitivity, the differences between addicted and normal individuals are not significant.
 Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that emotional memory and emotional styles can be influential factors in the tendency toward substance use.

The relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders: A question of diagnostic boundaries or simply severity of symptoms?

BackgroundA growing number of studies are questioning the validity of current DSM diagnoses, either as “discrete” or distinct mental disorders and/or as phenotypically homogeneous syndromes. In this study, we investigated how symptom domains in patients with a main diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) coaggregate. We predicted that symptom domains would be unrelated to DSM diagnostic categories and less likely to cluster with each other as severity increases. MethodsOne-hundred eight treatment seeking patients with a main diagnosis of OCD, SAD or PD were assessed with the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS), the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS), the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), and the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI, respectively). Subscores generated by each scale (herein termed “symptom domains”) were used to categorize individuals into mild, moderate and severe subgroups through K-means clusterization and subsequently analysed by means of multiple correspondence analysis. ResultsBroadly, we observed that symptom domains of OCD, SAD or PD tend to cluster on the basis of their severities rather than their DSM diagnostic labels. In particular, symptom domains and disorders were grouped into (1) a single mild “neurotic” syndrome characterized by multiple, closely related and co-occurring mild symptom domains; (2) two moderate (complicated and uncomplicated) “neurotic” syndromes (the former associated with panic disorder); and (3) severe but dispersed “neurotic” symptom domains. ConclusionOur findings suggest that symptoms domains of treatment seeking patients with OCD and anxiety disorders tend to be better conceptualized in terms of severity rather than rigid diagnostic boundaries.

Illness Perceptions Across Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder Patients

We investigated whether panic disorder (PD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD) patients differ in the perception of their illnesses and whether these differences can be ascribed to levels of anxiety sensitivity. We performed a cross-sectional study comparing responses from 36 PD patients, 38 OCD, and 34 SAD patients in the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Mental Health (IPQ-MH). A MANCOVA model with the diagnostic group as the fixed factor, the IPQ-MH items as dependent variables, and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R) score as a covariate, was created. Significant differences were observed between the groups with respect to illness perception. PD patients showed significantly higher levels of anxiety sensitivity than other groups. However, after controlling for anxiety sensitivity as a covariate, patients with PD had significant lower scores in “personal control” and “treatment control” than patients with SAD. OCD patients did not differ significantly from both groups. PD, OCD, and SAD patients have both common and different perceptions regarding their illnesses. Differences between PD and SAD are related to controllability of symptoms, but seem not to be mediated by anxiety sensitivity. Future studies should investigate whether illness perceptions in OCD and anxiety disorders have therapeutic implications.

The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in the prediction of Cyberchondria

Frequent search for health-related data on the internet that escalates anxiety experience is called cyberchondria. The aim of this study was to determine the role of anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the prediction of cyberchondria. The study was performed on 177 students of Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran. The samples were recruited using clustering sampling method. Data were collected using Cyberchondria Sensitivity Scale (CSS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASIR), Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS). According to the regression analysis, anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty and obsessive-compulsive symptoms positively and significantly predicted cyberchondria. According to the results, the interpretation of physical sensations as dangers, uncertainty about the origin of these senses, and the feeling of responsibility and coercion to be sure about the health leads the individual to frequently search medical information through the Internet.

Investigating effective treatment factors in brief cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder.

Numerous studies have provided evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on panic disorders (PDs). There has also been growing attention on brief CBT with regard to delivering intensive treatment efficiently. This study investigated the essential parts of mindfulness-based brief CBT to optimize treatment benefits.A total of 37 patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study. They were recruited from the anxiety/panic/fear clinic of Seoul National University Hospital. The patients participated in group CBT once a week for a total of 4 sessions over a 4-week period, when they were assessed using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) before and after brief CBT. Twenty-nine patients completed the 1-month follow-up.There were significant reductions in PDSS (P < .001), ASI-R-fear of respiratory symptoms (P = .006), ASI-R-fear of publicly observable anxiety reaction (P = .002), ASI-R-fear of cardiovascular symptoms (P < .001), ASI-R-fear of cognitive dyscontrol (P = .001), ASI-R-Total (P < .001), APPQ-Agoraphobia (P = .003), APPQ-Total (P = .028), STAI-State anxiety (P < .001), STAI-Trait anxiety (P = .002), BAI (P = .003), and BDI (P < .001) scores. We also found significant associations between ASI-R-fear of cardiovascular symptoms, ASI-R-Total, and changes in PDSS scores. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis indicated that anxiety sensitivity for fear of cardiovascular symptoms predicted an improvement in panic severity (β = 0.513, P = .004).Our findings suggested that behavioral aspects, especially physiological symptom control, needed to be considered in brief, intensive CBT for PD. The results also suggested that a mindfulness-based brief CBT approach might be particularly helpful for patients with PD who have severe cardiovascular symptoms.

The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Based on Hofmann’s Model on Anxiety Sensitivity and Positive and Negative Affects Among Undergraduate Female Students with Social Anxiety Symptoms in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Background: Social anxiety is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in the student population and is known to affect many aspects of one’s life. This disorder cannot be treated spontaneously without medical and educational interventions and may lead to more serious mental damages. Objectives: The purpose of the current research was to study the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based on Hofmann’s model on anxiety sensitivity and positive and negative affects among undergraduate female students with social anxiety symptoms in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The statistical population consisted of all female BA students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. This study was conducted on 32 female students with symptoms of social anxiety, who were selected through simple random sampling among BA students. The participants were assigned into two groups: experimental and control (16 students per group). The research instruments included the social phobia inventory (SPIN), anxiety sensitivity index-revised (ASI-R), and positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Before starting the intervention, a pretest (using ASI-R and PANAS) was performed in each group. Then, the experimental group was exposed to Hofmann-based CBT intervention for 8 weekly sessions (90 minutes), whereas the control group received no intervention. The two questionnaires were administered again at the post-test stage. Results: The results of covariance analysis showed that Hofmann-based CBT could decrease anxiety sensitivity and negative affect, while it increased positive affect among the participants. Conclusions: CBT based on Hoffman’s model is an effective treatment for reducing social anxiety; therefore, this method is recommended to psychologists and consultants.

The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Based on Hofmann’s Model on Anxiety Sensitivity and Positive and Negative Affects Among Undergraduate Female Students with Social Anxiety Symptoms in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Background: Social anxiety is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in the student population and is known to affect many aspects of one’s life. This disorder cannot be treated spontaneously without medical and educational interventions and may lead to more serious mental damages. Objectives: The purpose of the current research was to study the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based on Hofmann’s model on anxiety sensitivity and positive and negative affects among undergraduate female students with social anxiety symptoms in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The statistical population consisted of all female BA students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. This study was conducted on 32 female students with symptoms of social anxiety, who were selected through simple random sampling among BA students. The participants were assigned into two groups: experimental and control (16 students per group). The research instruments included the social phobia inventory (SPIN), anxiety sensitivity index-revised (ASI-R), and positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Before starting the intervention, a pretest (using ASI-R and PANAS) was performed in each group. Then, the experimental group was exposed to Hofmann-based CBT intervention for 8 weekly sessions (90 minutes), whereas the control group received no intervention. The two questionnaires were administered again at the post-test stage. Results: The results of covariance analysis showed that Hofmann-based CBT could decrease anxiety sensitivity and negative affect, while it increased positive affect among the participants. Conclusions: CBT based on Hoffman’s model is an effective treatment for reducing social anxiety; therefore, this method is recommended to psychologists and consultants.

White Matter Dysconnectivity in Panic Disorder with Early Sexual Abuse History: A Preliminary Study

Objective: People who have experienced childhood abuse are more likely to experience frequent or generalized anxiety or panic disorder (PD). Although previous studies have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to demonstrate structural abnormalities of brain in subjects with PD, there are no study about the brain white matter (WM) connectivity differences between PD with and without early sexual abuse. The objective of this study is to compare the brain WM connectivity between PD with and without early sexual abuse history. Design and Method: Twelve right-handed patients with PD [12 women; 35.91±10.29 (mean±SD) age] who met the diagnostic criteria in Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV were examined by means of MRI at 3 Tesla. We divided the patients with PD into two groups with and without early sexual abuse to compare the WM connectivity. Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R) were administered in PD patients. Results: Tract-based spatial statistics showed that fractional anisotropy (FA) values in PD with sexual abuse history were significantly higher than PD without abuse in the right internal capsule, superior corona radiata, sagittal stratum, fornix. The scores of PDSS, BDI, ASI-R were significantly correlated in the above-mentioned WM regions. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that early sexual abuse could influence the connectivity among emotion related limbic structures in PD.

Clinical characteristics of the respiratory subtype in panic disorder patients.

ObjectivePanic disorder has been suggested to be divided into the respiratory and non-respiratory subtypes in terms of its clinical presentations. The present study aimed to investigate whether there are any differences in treatment response and clinical characteristics between the respiratory and non-respiratory subtypes of panic disorder patients.MethodsAmong the 48 patients those who completed the study, 25 panic disorder patients were classified as the respiratory subtype, whereas 23 panic disorder patients were classified as the non-respiratory subtype. All patients were treated with escitalopram or paroxetine for 12 weeks. We measured clinical and psychological characteristics before and after pharmacotherapy using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Albany Panic and Phobic Questionnaire (APPQ), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T, STAI-S), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D).ResultsThe prevalence of the agoraphobia was significantly higher in the respiratory group than the non-respiratory group although there were no differences in gender and medication between the two groups. The respiratory group showed higher scores on the fear of respiratory symptoms of the ASI-R. In addition, after pharmacotherapy, the respiratory group showed more improvement in panic symptoms than the non-respiratory group.ConclusionPanic disorder patients with the respiratory subtype showed more severe clinical presentations, but a greater treatment response to SSRIs than those with non-respiratory subtype. Thus, classification of panic disorder patients as respiratory and non-respiratory subtypes may be useful to predict clinical course and treatment response to SSRIs.

Reliability and validity of Chinese revision of anxiety sensitivity index-revised among patients with anxiety disorders

Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the anxiety sensitivity index-revised(ASI-CR) among patients with anxiety disorders.Methods A total of 68 patients with anxiety disorders were interviewed using anxiety sensitivity index-revised(ASI-R),trait anxiety inventory(T-AI),Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA) and ASI-CR;the reliability and validity of ASI-CR were examined.Results Internal consistency of ASI-CR and each factor was 0.77-0.89 and the split-half reliability was 0.67-0.88.The internal correlation coefficient between factors was 0.51-0.65,the correlation coefficient between factors and the total score was 0.83-0.89,and internal correlation coefficient among factors was 0.60-0.90.The correlation coefficient between the total score and factor scores of ASI-CR and total score of ASI-R was 0.76-0.97,and the correlation coefficient between factor scores of ASI-CR and corresponding factor score of ASI-R was 0.78-0.97.The total score and two factor(physical concern and cognitive concern) score of ASI-CR in anxiety patients were significantly higher than the norm(P0.01).Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the three lower-order ASI-CR factors contributed 65.06% of the total variance.Factor loading of items was 0.51-0.88,but the items were unevenly distributed among factors.Two items had low loading to cognitive concern factor(0.22,0.48).Conclusion The ASI-CR displays satisfactory reliability,criterion validity and content validity among anxiety patients,but further research is needed to improve its structural validity.

Serotonergic Genes (5-HTT and HTR1A) and Separation Life Events: Gene-by-Environment Interaction for Panic Disorder

Background: The polymorphisms of serotonergic genes (5-HTTLPR and HTR1A rs6295) and separation life events have been studied to find an association with panic disorder, respectively. However, there are no studies that have yet evaluated the interaction effect between serotonergic genes and separation life events for panic disorder. Methods: For this study, 194 panic disorder patients and 172 healthy controls were included for genotyping and environmental factor analysis. Separation life events were assessed using the Stressful Life Events Scale and clinical interviews. To evaluate the potential endophenotypes of panic disorder, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-revised (ASI-R), harm avoidance in the Temperament and Character Inventory (HA), and neuroticism in the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (neuroticism) scales were administered. Results: For 5-HTTLPR and HTR1A rs6295, there was no significant main effect of each genotype on panic disorder alone. However, the number of separation life events and their interaction with 5-HTTLPR showed a statistically significant effect on panic disorder. In addition, the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and the number of separation life events significantly affected the HA for potential endophenotypes. Conclusion: This study could suggest the effect of the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and separation life events on panic disorder and its potential endophenotype.

Psychological characteristics of early remitters in patients with panic disorder

We aimed to examine whether anxiety sensitivity and agoraphobic fear could affect the time taken to remission after 24 weeks of open-label escitalopram treatment of patients with panic disorder (PD). We recruited 158 patients, and 101 patients completed the study. Clinical severity and psychological characteristics were assessed at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the treatment, using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), the Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety and Depression, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), the Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ), and the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). Remission was defined as the absence of full panic attacks and PDSS scores of 7 or less. Completing patients were stratified according to the time taken to remit: early (n=20) and late (n=58) remission and non-remission groups (n=23). There were no significant differences among the three groups at baseline on the CGI-S and the PDSS mean scores. However, early remitters had significantly lower scores than late remitters and non-remitters on the ASI-R and APPQ. In conclusion, anxiety sensitivity and agoraphobic fear can affect the time to remission after pharmacotherapy, and clinicians should consider the psychological characteristics of PD patients in order to achieve an optimal response to pharmacotherapy.

Effectiveness of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been studied to treat patients with depressive or anxiety disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether MBCT is effective as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of patients with panic disorder. Twenty-three patients with panic disorder were included in a MBCT program for a period of 8 weeks. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ), and Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) were used to assess the patients during the MBCT program. Both HAM-A and PDSS scores were significantly decreased at the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks compared to baseline in the patients with panic disorder (HAM-A, p<0.01; PDSS, p<0.01). Also, BAI, APPQ and ASI-R were improved significantly after MBCT program (BAI, p<0.01; APPQ, p<0.01; ASI-R, p<0.01). In addition, all subscale scores of ASI-R decreased significantly. MBCT could be effective as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder. However, randomized controlled trials are needed.

The Anxiety Sensitivity Index—Revised

The most commonly used measure of anxiety sensitivity is the 36-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R). Exploratory factor analyses have produced several different factors structures for the ASI-R, but an acceptable fit using confirmatory factor analytic approaches has only been found for a 21-item version of the instrument. We evaluated the fit of all published factor models for the 36- and 21-item ASI-R, modified the hierarchical model using an approach that does not eliminate items, evaluated the invariance of the modified model across Caucasian and African-American subsamples, and compared the reliability and validity of the 36-item and 21-item versions. The 21-item version of the ASI-R fit a four factor model, as did the 36-item version after several meaningful model modifications. The modified 36-item model was replicable in independent cases and its structural properties were generally invariant across race. Scores from the 36-item version exhibited superior reliability and criterion-related validity.

Korean Anxiety Sensitivity Index—Revised: its factor structure, reliability, and validity in clinical and nonclinical samples

The factor structure and convergent and discriminant validity of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R) were examined in a community sample, a student sample, and patients with panic disorder in Korea. Results from a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) comparing our data to factor solutions commonly reported as representative of European American populations indicated a poor fit. A subsequent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated that a four-factor solution provided the best fit. Correlations between the ASI-R and anxiety measures were moderately high, providing evidence of convergent validity. Implications for assessment with Koreans are discussed.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index - Revised in Clinical and Normative Populations

The present investigation aimed to critically examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index - Revised (ASI-R). Confirmatory factor analysis using a clinical sample of adults (N = 248) revealed that the ASI-R could be improved substantially through the removal of 15 problematic items in order to account for the most robust dimensions of anxiety sensitivity. This modified scale was renamed the 21-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (21-item ASI) and reanalyzed with a large sample of normative adults (N = 435), revealing configural and metric invariance across groups. Further comparisons with other alternative models, using multi-sample analysis, indicated the 21-item ASI to be the best fitting model for both groups. There was also evidence of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity for both samples suggesting that the 21-item ASI is a useful assessment device for investigating the construct of anxiety sensitivity in both clinical and normative populations.

P.1.a.007 Retinoid function related genes do not cause psychosis in a large inbred family

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been studied to treat patients with depressive or anxiety disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether MBCT is effective as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of patients with panic disorder. Twenty-three patients with panic disorder were included in a MBCT program for a period of 8 weeks. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R), Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ), and Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) were used to assess the patients during the MBCT program. Both HAM-A and PDSS scores were significantly decreased at the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks compared to baseline in the patients with panic disorder (HAM-A, p < 0.01; PDSS, p < 0.01). Also, BAI, APPQ and ASI-R were improved significantly after MBCT program (BAI, p < 0.01; APPQ, p < 0.01; ASI-R, p < 0.01). In addition, all subscale scores of ASI-R decreased significantly. MBCT could be effective as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder. However, randomized controlled trials are needed.

Anxiety sensitivity and its dimensions across the anxiety disorders

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) refers to the fear of anxiety-related sensations, which is thought to arise from beliefs about their harmful consequences. AS is a multidimensional construct that consists of fears of somatic, social, and cognitive aspects of anxiety. In the present study, we examined the relationship between AS dimensions, assessed by factor-analytically derived subscales of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index—Revised (ASI-R), and anxiety-related psychopathology in a sample of 232 treatment-seeking patients with anxiety disorders. Correlational analyses and comparisons among anxiety disorder patient groups and undergraduate students revealed a specific pattern of relationships between ASI-R subscale scores and anxiety-related psychopathology. In contrast, ASI-R total scores evidenced less discriminant validity. Implications for theoretical models of anxiety and directions for future research are discussed.

The Anxiety Sensitivity Index - Revised: psychometric properties and factor structure in two nonclinical samples

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the fear of anxiety-related sensations based on beliefs about their harmful consequences. Despite its status as the most popular measure of AS, the anxiety sensitivity index is too abbreviated to adequately measure the somatic, cognitive, and social facets of the construct. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index - Revised (ASI-R) is a revised and expanded version of the ASI that was developed to improve the assessment of AS and its dimensions. The present study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the ASI-R. Two large undergraduate samples completed a psychometric assessment package that included the ASI-R and measures of anxiety, depression, and related constructs. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four lower-order ASI-R factors: (1) beliefs about the harmful consequences of somatic sensations; (2) fear of publicly observable anxiety reactions; (3) fear of cognitive dyscontrol; and (4) fear of somatic sensations without explicit consequences. These factors loaded on a single, higher-order factor. Correlations between the ASI-R factors and related variables were consistent with AS theory. Results across both samples in the present study were highly similar. The strengths and limitations of the ASI-R are discussed, and the implications of our findings for the nature and measurement of AS are considered.

Heavy drinking among college students is influenced by anxiety sensitivity, gender, and contexts for alcohol use

In order to quantify relationships between anxiety sensitivity and situational antecedents to heavy alcohol consumption, 245 university student drinkers completed the anxiety sensitivity index-revised (ASI-R) and the inventory of drinking situations (IDS-42). The observed correlations indicated that anxiety sensitivity is related to negatively reinforced drinking, positively reinforced drinking, and temptation-motivated drinking. However, anxiety sensitivity is most clearly implicated as a factor in negatively reinforced drinking, i.e., drinking followed by “tension reduction.” Additionally, the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and negatively reinforced drinking is stronger among males than among females. The results point to anxiety sensitivity and gender as interacting individual difference variables that influence incidence of negatively reinforced heavy drinking among college students.