20-10-2015 | Original Article
A Longitudinal Study of Emotional Distress Intolerance and Psychopathology Following Exposure to a Potentially Traumatic Event in a Community Sample
Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Uitgave 1/2016
Log in om toegang te krijgenAbstract
This study focused on better understanding the association between anxiety sensitivity (AS), distress tolerance (DT), and psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress, depression, panic and suicidality, in the aftermath of a potentially traumatizing event. A community-based sample of 151 adults exposed to the Mount Carmel Forest Fire Disaster were assessed within 30-days of exposure (T1) and then at 3- (T2) and 6-month (T3) follow-up intervals. At T1, AS, DT, and psychopathology symptoms loaded on a single common latent factor reflecting Emotional Avoidance and Distress; whereas by T2 AS-DT and psychopathology symptoms diverged into distinct latent variables—Emotional Distress Intolerance and Distress Post-Trauma, respectively. Levels of Emotional Distress and Avoidance at T1 predicted levels of Emotional Distress Intolerance as well as Distress Post-Trauma at T2. Finally, levels of Emotional Intolerance at T2 predicted levels of Distress Post-Trauma at T3 above and beyond the strong stability effects of Distress Post-Trauma over time. Findings are discussed with respect to their theoretical and clinical implications for understanding and promoting resilience to, and recovery following, exposure to potentially traumatic events.