Measures Of Anxiety Sensitivity Research Articles

Mental health in athletes: anxiety sensitivity as a transdiagnostic risk factor

Mental health in athletes: anxiety sensitivity as a transdiagnostic risk factor

Self-Critical Perfectionism and Anxious and Depressive Symptoms Over 2 Years: Moderated Mediation Models of Anxiety Sensitivity and Experiential Avoidance

This three-wave longitudinal study of 297 community adults (mean age = 38.66 years, 67% female) examined how anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance work together to explain the relation between perfectionism and anxious and depressive symptoms over 2 years. Participants completed measures of self-critical (SC) and personal standards (PS) higher-order dimensions of perfectionism, anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and anxious and depressive symptoms at Time 1. Participants completed measures of anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and symptoms again at Time 2 one year later, and symptoms measures again at Time 3 two years after baseline. Moderated mediation analyses showed that for those with higher Time 1 experiential avoidance, Time 1 SC perfectionism was indirectly related to Time 3 anxious arousal symptoms through Time 2 anxiety sensitivity. For those with moderate to higher Time 1 anxiety sensitivity, Time 1 SC perfectionism was indirectly associated with Time 3 general distress and anxious arousal symptoms through Time 2 experiential avoidance. These moderated mediation effects were not found for PS perfectionism. These results support anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance as moderating and mediating processes that may be important treatment targets for reducing vulnerability to anxious and depressive symptoms over the longer-term in SC perfectionistic individuals.

Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) in Spanish Population.

The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) is the reference instrument for measuring anxiety sensitivity. The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the ASI-3 have been examined in university students but not in adults from the general population. Whether the ASI-3 subscales provide relevant information has not yet been examined either. The ASI-3's factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, and relationship with neuroticism were examined in a Spanish community sample of 919 adults. In two subsamples of participants, the ASI-3 presented a structure of three correlated factors (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) that loaded on a higher-order factor, but the three factors did not explain much item variance. The total scale and subscales of the ASI-3 showed excellent or good indices of internal consistency (alphas and omegas = .81 – .91), and adequate indices of test-retest reliability at two months ( r = .57 – .73) and the relationship with neuroticism and its facets ( r = .19 – .52). The ASI-3 provides reliable, valid measures of anxiety sensitivity in Spanish adults, but its subscales are not very useful beyond the information provided by the total scale.

Predicting Reasons for Drinking in a Dually-Diagnosed Sample with PTSD and Substance Use Disorders

Objective: Using the negative reinforcement and common factors frameworks, this work assessed whether and how anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and impulsivity relate to reasons for drinking (RFD) in a residential treatment sample with co-occurring alcohol use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (AUD-PTSD). Demographic differences were also examined. Method: Participants were 75 (52.0% male, 78.7% white) adults at a residential substance use treatment facility who met criteria for AUD-PTSD with 98.67% meeting criteria for one or more substance use disorders in addition to AUD. Participants completed measures of anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, impulsivity, RFD, and AUD-PTSD symptoms. Univariate and multivariate linear regression was used with and without controlling for demographic variables (i.e., age, race, and sex). Results: The positive and negative urgency facets of impulsivity were positively related to both negative affect and cue/craving response RFD with relations maintained after controlling for demographic variables and including PTSD symptom severity (βs .30−.51). There were no significant relations between impulsivity and social RFD. No facets of anxiety sensitivity or distress tolerance were significantly related to RFD domains. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the urgency facets of impulsivity are crucial in understanding negative affect and cue/craving RFD. However, anxiety sensitivity and distress tolerance are not related to RFD in this dually diagnosed AUD-PTSD sample. Treatment considerations and future directions are discussed.

Reliability and Validity of Urdu Children Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI) Scale

Objective. Anxiety sensitivity has been implicated as a trans-diagnostic risk factor for variouspsychopathologies. Childhood anxiety sensitivity index (CASI) is an eighteen-item self-reported measure ofanxiety sensitivity. The present research aimed to translate and adapt CASI into Urdu language, analyze thepsychometric properties, factor structure and assess it as a screening scale for anxiety disorders in children. Method. A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 658 participants (age 6 to 17 years;M=13.24, SD=2.51) by using CASI and Screen for anxiety and emotional related disorders (SCARED)self-report and parent-report. Results. Exploratory factor analysis yields four factor structure explaining 32.98% accumulative variance.Confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor hierarchical factor (?2 = 152.52, df= 87, ?2/ df= 1.75RMSEA= .05, CFI= .92, SRMR= .05, AIC= 218.52). ROC Curve analysis indicated CASI as a potentialscreening measure for anxiety disorders with a sensitivity of >.80 and specificity of >.58 at a cut score of 20to 23. Conclusion. Study findings indicate that Urdu CASI may be used as a screening tool of anxiety disordersin children. Suggestions for further research are proposed in the light of the present research findings.

A multivariate genetic analysis of anxiety sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and reported life events in adolescents.

Despite being considered a measure of environmental risk, reported life events are partly heritable. One mechanism that may contribute to this heritability is genetic influences on sensitivity, relating to how individuals process and interpret internal and external signals. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic and environmental overlap between self-reported life events and measures of sensitivity. At age 17, 2,939 individuals from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) completed measures of anxiety sensitivity (Children's Anxiety Sensitivity Index), environmental sensitivity (Highly Sensitive Child Scale) and reported their experience of 20 recent life events. Using multivariate Cholesky decomposition models, we investigated the shared genetic and environmental influences on the associations between these measures of sensitivity and the number of reported life events, as well as both negative and positive ratings of life events. The majority of the associations between anxiety sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and reported life events were explained by shared genetic influences (60%-75%), with the remainder explained by nonshared environmental influences (25%-40%). Environmental sensitivity showed comparable genetic correlations with both negative and positive ratings of life events (rA = .21 and .15), anxiety sensitivity only showed a significant genetic correlation with negative ratings of life events (rA = .33). Approximately 10% of the genetic influences on reported life events were accounted for by influences shared with anxiety sensitivity and environmental sensitivity. Differences in how individuals process the contextual aspects of the environment or interpret their own physical and emotional response to environmental stimuli may be one mechanism through which genetic liability influences the subjective experience of life events.

MMPI-3 Predictors of Anxiety Sensitivity and Distress Intolerance.

Documenting empirical correlates of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scale scores is important for expanding the clinical utility of the instrument. To this end, the goals of the current study were to examine associations between scores on MMPI-3 scales and measures of anxiety sensitivity and distress intolerance, two constructs reflecting intolerance of negative emotional states that are implicated in many psychological conditions, and to identify the scales that most strongly predict each construct. Using a sample of 287 undergraduate students (71% women; Mage = 18.90, SD = 1.12; 85% White), zero-order correlational, regression, and dominance analyses were performed to address these goals. Results indicate that when MMPI-3 scale scores are considered conjointly by scale family, they predict meaningful variance in anxiety sensitivity and distress intolerance measure scores, with conceptually implicated scales offering the strongest prediction across scale families. Implications for both research and practice, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.

Anxiety sensitivity, disgust sensitivity and aversive reactions to four stimuli.

Prior theory and research has implicated disgust as relevant to some, but not all phobias. The current study examined whether anxiety sensitivity is more relevant to certain specific phobias and whether disgust sensitivity is more relevant to other specific phobias. Participants (n = 201) completed measures of anxiety sensitivity, disgust sensitivity and measures of aversive reactions in the presence of two fear-relevant stimuli (i.e. heights and small, enclosed spaces) and two disgust-relevant stimuli (i.e. spiders and blood/injury). Results of multiple linear regression analyses revealed that disgust sensitivity showed significant associations with aversive reactions in all four stimulus domains after controlling for anxiety sensitivity. After controlling for disgust sensitivity, anxiety sensitivity showed associations with the two fear-relevant phobias but not with the two disgust-relevant phobias included in this study. Anxiety sensitivity also showed an association with variance specific to one of the two fear-relevant specific phobias included in the study. Disgust sensitivity also showed associations with variance specific to both of the disgust-relevant phobias included in the study but not with variance specific to either of the fear-relevant specific phobias. These results provide evidence that the distinction between fear-relevant and disgust-relevant specific phobias is meaningful and also implicate disgust sensitivity as relevant to aversive reactions to all stimuli included in this study.

Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 Suicidal Cognition Concerns: A New Measure Examining Negative Reactions to Suicidal Ideation

Objective Anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns (ASCC), the fear of the consequences of mental dyscontrol, has been established as a risk factor for suicidal ideation (SI). Treatments targeted at reducing ASCC have been shown to reduce suicide risk. In this study, a new self-report measure, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 Suicidal Cognition Concerns (ASI-3-SCC), was developed to assess sensitivity specifically to thoughts of suicide and wanting to die. Method Participants completed the new measure as well as measures of anxiety sensitivity, depressive symptoms, SI, and worst point SI. We hypothesized that the ASI-3-SCC would be associated with SI and worst point SI. Additionally, we hypothesized that the ASI-3-SCC would moderate the relationship between ASCC and SI. Results As predicted, the ASI-3-SCC was significantly associated with SI in the past two weeks and lifetime worst point SI after accounting for ASCC and depression. The ASI-3-SCC also moderated the relationship between ASCC and SI such that ASCC was related to SI at high levels of ASI-3-SCC. Conclusions We suggest that the interpretation of SI and feelings of wanting to die as dangerous may lead to more attention to those thoughts when they occur and increased psychological distress associated with those thoughts. This measure will allow researchers to measure a novel construct in the literature and further examine the impact of catastrophic interpretations of suicidal thoughts. Highlights Created a new measure for sensitivity to thoughts of suicide and wanting to die. Suicidal cognition concerns associated with suicidal ideation in the past two weeks. Suicidal cognition concerns associated with lifetime worst point suicidal ideation. Suicidal cognition concerns moderated AS cognitive concerns and ideation relation.

Anxiety regarding contracting COVID-19 related to interoceptive anxiety sensations: The moderating role of disgust propensity and sensitivity

The COVID-19 public health crisis has led to extensive recommendations by officials to contain its spread. Anxiety regarding contracting the virus is prominent in the public. Specific routes to anxiety over disease contraction are under studied. It is expected that a contributory feature of fear of contracting COVID-19 involve disgust propensity and sensitivity, emotional reactions that are part of a broader behavioral immune system (BIS). A total of N = 908 Chinese adults (mean age = 40.37 years, SD = 9.27; n = 752 female) participated in a survey distributed between February 24 and March 15, 2020. Participants completed measures of anxiety sensitivity, disgust propensity and sensitivity, and fear of contracting COVID-19. Results support a moderating relationship between both disgust propensity and sensitivity in the relationship between physical concerns associated with anxiety sensitivity and fear of contracting COVID-19. These results lend support for individual variation in the activation of the BIS. Recommendations for public education to target individuals who may experience mental health consequences from pandemics are provided.

Sleep Quality Moderates the Relationship between Anxiety Sensitivity and PTSD Symptoms in Combat-exposed Veterans

ABSTRACT Objective/Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions (e.g., depression) are common in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) veterans. High anxiety sensitivity (AS), defined as fear of anxiety and anxiety-related consequences, is related to greater PTSD and depressive symptoms; however, few studies have identified possible modifiers of these associations. The current study examined the moderating role of sleep quality in the associations between AS and PTSD and depressive symptoms. Participants: Participants were 155 OEF/OIF/OND community veterans ages 21–40 (12.3% women). Methods: Participants completed a semi-structured clinical interview for DSM-IV PTSD symptoms (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale; CAPS) and self-report measures of anxiety sensitivity (Anxiety Sensitivity Index), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score; PSQI), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI–II). Results: Results of hierarchical linear regression models indicated that the main effects of AS and global PSQI score were significantly associated with greater PTSD and depressive symptoms (both with sleep items removed), above and beyond the covariates of trauma load and military rank. Sleep quality moderated the relationship between AS and PTSD symptoms (but not depressive symptoms), such that greater AS was associated with greater PTSD symptoms for individuals with good sleep quality, but not poor sleep quality. Conclusions: Sleep quality and AS account for unique variance in PTSD and depressive symptoms in combat-exposed veterans. AS may be less relevant to understanding risk for PTSD among combat-exposed veterans experiencing poor sleep quality.

Evaluating the efficacy of an attention modification program for patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

Persons with chronic musculoskeletal pain may be hypervigilant for pain-related cues which, paradoxically, may be maintaining their pain. Several randomized controlled trials have assessed whether a modified dot-probe protocol (ie, attention bias modification [ABM]) reduces chronic pain- and pain-related symptoms in persons with several diagnoses, including fibromyalgia. Scalability and economic efficiency potentiates the appeal of ABM protocols; however, research results have been mixed, with only some studies evidencing significant symptom gains from ABM and some evidencing gains for the control group. The current randomized controlled trial sought to replicate and extend previous ABM research using idiosyncratic word stimuli and a 1-month follow-up. Participants included treatment-seeking adult women (n = 117) with fibromyalgia who were randomly assigned to a standard (ie, control) or active (ie, ABM) condition. The protocol was delivered online and involved twice-weekly 15-minute sessions, for 4 weeks, with questionnaires completed at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. Symptom reports were analysed with mixed hierarchical modelling. There was no evidence of differences between the control and ABM groups. Both groups had small significant (Ps < 0.05) improvements in pain experiences at posttreatment, but not at follow-up (Ps > 0.05). There were no significant changes for either group on measures of anxiety sensitivity, illness/injury sensitivity, pain-related fear, pain-related anxiety, or attentional biases (Ps > 0.05). The current findings add to the emerging and mixed literature regarding ABM for pain by demonstrating that ABM produces no substantive improvements in pain or pain-related constructs in a large sample of patients with fibromyalgia.

Mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and eating disorder psychopathology: A clinical replication

ObjectiveThis study sought to examine whether anxiety sensitivity was associated with eating disorder (ED) symptom severity among patients with severe EDs, and to determine whether this relationship was mediated by experiential avoidance. MethodAdolescent and adult females (N = 625) seeking residential ED treatment completed self-report measures of anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and ED psychopathology. Linear regression evaluated the cross-sectional association between ED symptom severity and three dimensions of anxiety sensitivity (social, physical, and cognitive). Regression-based mediation analysis with bootstrapping tested the associations among the three dimensions of anxiety sensitivity and ED symptom severity through experiential avoidance. ResultsThe social dimension of anxiety sensitivity was positively associated with severity of ED psychopathology. Experiential avoidance mediated this association. DiscussionED symptoms in this sample were more severe among patients who endorsed greater concern about appearing nervous or anxious to others. The current results indicate that this relationship was driven by a tendency to avoid experiences that evoke emotional discomfort. If replicated, these findings suggest that targeting both social anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance may improve ED treatment outcomes. Further study of the mechanistic relationships among social anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and ED psychopathology, is warranted.

Chinese Therapists' Beliefs About Exposure Therapy for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders.

The goal of this study was to assess Chinese therapists' beliefs about exposure therapy and to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Therapist Beliefs about Exposure Scale (TBES). Modification of therapists' beliefs about exposure therapy was also assessed following attendance at an exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) training workshop. A total of 203 therapists participated in the study. The TBES and a measure of anxiety sensitivity were administered in Chinese. After a half-day ERP training workshop, the Chinese version of the TBES was administered to the participants again. The Chinese version of the TBES demonstrated adequate internal consistency, moderate item-level psychometric properties, and a normal distribution in the sample in this study. The TBES scores of the participants decreased significantly after they attended an ERP training course. The reduction in TBES scores was significantly correlated with therapists' caseload of clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The results of this study support the reliability of the Chinese version of the TBES. Chinese therapists had more negative beliefs about exposure than did American therapists who were evaluated in a different study; however, therapists' negative beliefs were significantly reduced after they attended an ERP training workshop. Future studies are encouraged to explore effective strategies to improve the disseminiation and delivery of exposure therapy in China.

Indirect Associations of Anxiety Sensitivity with Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use Problems Through Emotional Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Theoretically, anxiety sensitivity—fear of anxiety symptoms—enhances perception of and emotional reactivity to autonomic arousal and mental distress, thereby increasing negative affect and motivation to use substances for negative reinforcement. Because no prior study of adolescents has tested if anxiety sensitivity is indirectly associated with substance use problems through symptoms of emotional disorders (i.e., disorders involving high levels of negative affect), the current cross-sectional study examined this theoretical pathway. Participants included ninth-grade students from 10 different high schools in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (N = 3005; 54.3% female). Self-report measures of anxiety sensitivity, emotional disorder symptoms, tobacco dependence, and alcohol and other drug problems were administered. Controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, parental education, school, and impulsiveness, we tested the associations of anxiety sensitivity with tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use problems as well as the indirect effects of anxiety sensitivity on each domain of substance use problems through emotional disorder symptoms. Anxiety sensitivity was associated with more severe tobacco dependence and greater alcohol problems and other drug problems, and anxiety sensitivity further was indirectly associated with all three domains of substance use problems through emotional disorder symptoms. Current findings suggest that adolescents high in anxiety sensitivity tend to experience emotional disorder symptoms, which may increase risk for substance use problems. Interventions that target anxiety sensitivity and enhance negative-affect coping skills may assist in preventing and reducing adolescent substance use problems.

Refinement of anxiety sensitivity measurement: The Short Scale Anxiety Sensitivity Index (SSASI)

Anxiety sensitivity, defined as the fear of anxiety and arousal-related sensations, has been among the most influential cognitive-based transdiagnostic risk and maintenance factors in the study and treatment of emotional and related disorders. The currently available anxiety sensitivity measures are limited by their length. Specifically, the length of these instruments discourages the adoption of routine anxiety sensitivity assessment in clinical or medical settings (e.g., primary care). The goals of this study were to develop and assess the validity and reliability of a short version of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3; Taylor et al., 2007), entitled the Short Scale Anxiety Sensitivity Index (SSASI), using three independent clinical samples. Results indicated that the abbreviated five-item version of the SSASI had good internal consistency and a robust association with the ASI-3. Further, across the samples, there was evidence of unidimensionality and excellent convergent and discriminant validity. There also was evidence of partial measurement invariance across sex and full measurement invariance across time. Overall, the five-item scale offers a single score that can be employed to measure anxiety sensitivity. Use of the SSASI may facilitate screening efforts and symptom tracking for anxiety sensitivity, particularly within clinical settings where practical demands necessitate the use of brief assessment instruments.

The moderating role of anxiety sensitivity in the co-occurrence of anxiety and depression symptoms among clinically anxious children

The co-occurrence between anxiety and depression symptoms among children with anxiety disorders is well-known, yet there is considerable heterogeneity in terms of explanatory factors. Although cognitive–affective processes have been hypothesized to play a prominent role, surprisingly, no research to date has examined the role of anxiety sensitivity in this co-occurrence. The present investigation examined the role of anxiety sensitivity in the co-occurrence of anxiety and depression symptoms among clinically anxious children. We expected that anxiety sensitivity would moderate the co-occurrence between anxiety and depression symptoms, such that higher anxiety would be related to higher depression among boys and girls with high (but not low) anxiety sensitivity. Participants ( N = 44, age range = 8–12 years; 52% female; 52% African American) were interviewed with the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-IV: Children and Parent Versions and completed self-report measures of anxiety sensitivity, anxiety, and depression symptom severity. Controlling for child age, moderation analyses revealed that higher anxiety was related to higher depression only among girls with high anxiety sensitivity. Among girls with low anxiety sensitivity, the relation between anxiety and depression symptoms was not significant. Anxiety and depression symptoms were strongly correlated among clinically anxious boys irrespective of their levels of anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity is an important factor related to anxiety–depression symptom co-occurrence among clinically anxious females in particular. Targeted interventions focused on anxiety sensitivity reduction may prove useful for reducing anxiety–depression symptom co-occurrence among clinically anxious girls. Future research should explore additional moderators that may explain the high correlation between anxiety and depressive symptoms observed among clinically anxious boys.

Anxiety Sensitivity, Obsessive Beliefs, and the Prediction of CBT Treatment Outcome for OCD

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) although a significant proportion of clients remain symptomatic following treatment. Knowledge regarding individual differences that influence treatment response could help guide future augmentations to CBT. The current study examined two potential predictors of treatment response to CBT for OCD: anxiety sensitivity and obsessive beliefs. Participants (n = 93) with a primary diagnosis of OCD completed measures of anxiety sensitivity (Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI); Reiss et al. in Behaviour Research and Therapy, 24(1), 1–8, 1986) and obsessive beliefs (Obsessive Belief Questionnaire (OBQ): OCCWG in Behaviour Research and Therapy, 35(7), 667–681, 1997, 39(8), 987–1006, 2001) before engaging in a course of group CBT for OCD. Obsessive-compulsive symptom severity was measured (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale; Goodman et al. in Archives of General Psychiatry, 46(11), 1012–1016, 1989a, 1006–1011, 1989b) before and upon treatment completion. Results indicated a significant two-way interaction, whereby elevated ASI-Physical scores by elevated OBQ-Importance/Control significantly predicted higher post-treatment symptom severity. These results have implications for the cognitive modeling of OCD and its treatment with CBT.

Agoraphobic avoidance predicts emotional distress and increased physical concerns in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundAnxiety and panic attacks are more common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than in the overall population. Individuals with panic attacks often attempt to avoid situations perceived as at risk of eliciting bodily sensations such as dyspnea, which paradoxically may lead to anxiety-related responsivity. Although there is some evidence that COPD individuals restrict their participation in various life activities because they fear that these may trigger breathlessness, little is known about agoraphobic avoidance and its impact on cognitions and emotional distress in this population. It was thus our aim to investigate the degree of agoraphobic avoidance in COPD individuals, its clinical concomitants and consequences. MethodsA total of 48 patients with COPD and 48 matched controlled subjects completed measures of anxiety sensitivity, agoraphobic avoidance, anxiety and depression. Objective COPD severity was measured using forced expiratory volume in the first second. ResultsPatients showed significant impairment in respiratory functioning and psychological distress. Relative to the control, the COPD group exhibited greater depression, anxiety, physical symptom concerns and avoidance (alone and accompanied), irrespective of whether they were panickers or not. Patients with high avoidance showed more intense physical concerns when compared to those with low avoidance. Importantly, the level of avoidance predicted emotional distress and increased physical concerns in COPD. ConclusionsPhysical concerns scores in COPD patients are partially explained by avoidance in this group. The results of the study provide evidence for the importance of evaluating avoidance in COPD patients and implicate targeting this behavior in therapeutic interventions.

Perceived barriers to smoking cessation among adults with substance use disorders

The majority of adults seeking substance use disorder treatment also smoke. Smoking is associated with greater substance use disorder severity, poorer treatment outcome, and increased mortality among those with substance use disorders. Yet, engaging this population in smoking cessation treatment is a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to examine perceived barriers to smoking cessation among treatment-seeking adults with alcohol or opioid use disorder. Additionally, we examined whether anxiety sensitivity - a known risk factor for barriers to smoking cessation in the general population - was associated with more barriers to smoking cessation in this sample. A sample of 208 adults was recruited for a one-time study and completed self-report measures of anxiety sensitivity and perceived barriers to smoking cessation. Results indicated that the most common barriers were anxiety (82% of the sample), tension/irritability (76%), and concerns about the ability to maintain sobriety from their primary substance of abuse (64%). Those who reported more barriers also reported lower confidence in the ability to change their smoking behavior. Higher anxiety sensitivity was associated with more perceived barriers to smoking cessation, even when controlling for cigarette dependence severity. These results suggest that there are several perceived barriers to smoking cessation among treatment-seeking adults with substance use disorders. In addition to psychoeducational interventions aimed to modify negative beliefs about smoking cessation, anxiety sensitivity may be a promising therapeutic target in this population.