Role of panic appraisal in predicting the severity of panic and agoraphobic symptoms

Yongrae Cho; Younghee Choi; Sunyoung Kim

doi:10.1002/jclp.23028

Role of panic appraisal in predicting the severity of panic and agoraphobic symptoms

J Clin Psychol. 2021 Jan;77(1):298-311. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23028. Epub 2020 Jul 14.

Authors

Yongrae Cho¹, Younghee Choi², Sunyoung Kim³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea.
² Mettaa Institute of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Schema Therapy, Seoul, South Korea.
³ Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii.

PMID: 32662523
DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23028

Abstract

Objective: The present study examined the contribution of panic appraisal (PA) dimensions to the prediction of panic and agoraphobic symptoms, above and beyond anxiety sensitivity (AS), among patients with panic disorder. PA dimensions consist of anticipated panic, perceived panic consequences, and panic coping efficacy.

Method: Panic disorder patients (N = 84, 60.7% female, M = 38 years) completed self-report measures of panic and agoraphobic symptoms, three dimensions of PA, AS, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

Results: PA dimensions significantly contributed to the prediction of overall and all facets of panic and agoraphobic symptoms, as well as anxiety symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, above and beyond AS. Of the three PA dimensions, both anticipated panic and panic coping efficacy uniquely contributed to agoraphobic avoidance after controlling for AS and the other dimensions of PA.

Conclusion: PA dimensions may emerge as an important predictor of panic and agoraphobic or anxiety symptoms.

Keywords: agoraphobia; anxiety sensitivity; panic appraisal; panic disorder.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Agoraphobia*
Anxiety / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Male
Panic Disorder* / epidemiology