Fear of anxiety: Do current measures assess unique aspects of the construct?

Research has shown that ‘fear of anxiety’ plays a significant role in the occurrence of panic and is predictive of both the development and severity of panic disorder. The most frequently used measures of fear of anxiety are the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), and the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ). In an attempt to further our understanding of fear of anxiety the present study sought to evaluate the extent to which these common measures assess unique aspects of the construct. Results of data collected from 48 panickers and 48 control Ss with no panic history indicate that: 1. (a) the measures of fear of anxiety are modestly correlated with each other and, in panickers, with trait anxiety;2. (b) panickers score higher than control Ss on the ASI and the total score of the ACQ, but not on the Physical or Social/Behavioral Concerns Scales of the ACQ or on the BSQ; and3. (c) the measures provide unique contributions to discriminant function classification of panickers and nonpanickers. These results suggest that, while the measures are associated with panic experiences, each may be measuring unique aspects of fear of anxiety. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.