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. 2019 Feb;19(1):70-83.
doi: 10.1037/emo0000420. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Gender differences in the relation between the late positive potential in response to anxiety sensitivity images and self-reported anxiety sensitivity

Nicholas P Allan  1 , Matt R Judah  2 , Brian J Albanese  3 , Richard J Macatee  3 , Carson A Sutton  3 , Matthew D Bachman  4 , Edward M Bernat  5 , Norman B Schmidt  3
Affiliations

Gender differences in the relation between the late positive potential in response to anxiety sensitivity images and self-reported anxiety sensitivity

Nicholas P Allan et al. Emotion. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Anxiety sensitivity (AS), or the fear of anxious arousal, is a transdiagnostic risk factor predictive of a wide variety of affective disorders. Whereas AS is widely studied via self-report, the neurophysiological correlates of AS are poorly understood. One specific issue this may help resolve is well-established gender differences in mean levels of AS. The current study evaluated late positive potential (LPP) for images designed to target AS during an emotional picture viewing paradigm. Structural equation modeling was used to examine convergent and discriminant validity for self-report AS and the LPP for AS images, considering gender as a potential moderator. Analyses were conducted in an at-risk sample of 251 community adults (M age = 35.47, SD = 15.95; 56.2% female; 53.6% meeting for a primary Axis I anxiety or related disorder). Findings indicated that the AS image LPP was significantly, uniquely associated with self-report AS, controlling for the LPP for unpleasant images, in females only. Mean levels of AS self-report as well as the AS image LPP were higher in females than in males. These findings provide initial support for the AS image LPP as a useful neurophysiological correlate of AS self-report in females. These findings also provide support for a biological cause for gender differences in AS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example of presentation of Emotional Picture Viewing Paradigm image presentation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Late Positive Potential Waveforms. Grand-averaged waves pooled from CPz, Pz, CP1, and CP2 (bold electrodes). Topographical maps depict mean amplitude 500–1000 ms after image onset relative to baseline.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Figure 3a. Structural Equation Model of the Relations between Anxiety Sensitivity Self-Report and AS and Unpleasant Images LPPs in Males. AS = Anxiety Sensitivity. LPP = Late Positive Potential. Unpl = Unpleasant. SR = Self-Report. Figure 3b. Structural Equation Model of the Relations between Anxiety Sensitivity Self-Report and AS and Unpleasant Images LPPs in Females. AS = Anxiety Sensitivity. LPP = Late Positive Potential. Unpl = Unpleasant. SR = Self-Report.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Figure 3a. Structural Equation Model of the Relations between Anxiety Sensitivity Self-Report and AS and Unpleasant Images LPPs in Males. AS = Anxiety Sensitivity. LPP = Late Positive Potential. Unpl = Unpleasant. SR = Self-Report. Figure 3b. Structural Equation Model of the Relations between Anxiety Sensitivity Self-Report and AS and Unpleasant Images LPPs in Females. AS = Anxiety Sensitivity. LPP = Late Positive Potential. Unpl = Unpleasant. SR = Self-Report.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Allan NP, Capron DW, Raines AM, Schmidt NB. Unique relations among anxiety sensitivity factors and anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2014;28(2):266–75. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.12.004. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Allan NP, Korte KJ, Capron DW, Raines AM, Schmidt NB. Factor Mixture Modeling of Anxiety Sensitivity: A Three-Class Structure. Psychological Assessment. 2014;26(4):1184–1195. doi: 10.1037/a0037436. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Allan NP, Macatee RJ, Norr AM, Schmidt NB. Direct and Interactive Effects of Distress Tolerance and Anxiety Sensitivity on Generalized Anxiety and Depression. 2014:530–540. doi: 10.1007/s10608-014-9623-y. - DOI
    1. Allan NP, Oglesby ME, Uhl A, Schmidt NB. Cognitive risk factors explain the relations between negative affect and social anxiety for males and females. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. 2016:1–15. doi: 10.1080/16506073.2016.1238503. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Allan NP, Raines AM, Capron DW, Norr AM, Zvolensky MJ, Schmidt NB. Identification of anxiety sensitivity classes and clinical cut-scores in a sample of adult smokers: Results from a factor mixture model. Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2014;28(7):696–703. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.07.006. - DOI - PMC - PubMed