Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Influence of Hurricane Exposure and Anxiety Sensitivity on Panic Symptoms

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Child & Youth Care Forum Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Trauma exposure has been associated with panic symptoms in adult samples, but little is known about the relationship between trauma and panic in children. Anxiety sensitivity (AS), or the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations, may help explain the relationship between trauma and panic. To examine relationships among trauma, anxiety sensitivity, and panic symptoms, data were collected from youth in the New Orleans area 5–8 months after Hurricane Katrina (N = 302) and again 17–18 months after the hurricane (N = 110). At time one (T1), AS predicted panic symptoms beyond hurricane exposure. At time two (T2), AS measured at time two (T2) predicted panic symptoms beyond AS measured at T1. Clinical implications of the present findings are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th ed., text revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychology research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bouton, M. E., Mineka, S., & Barlow, D. H. (2001). A modern learning theory perspective on the etiology of panic disorder. Psychological Review, 108, 4–32. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.108.1.4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, S. J., & Hood, J. (1993). Psychiatrically referred adolescents with panic attacks: Presenting symptoms, stressors, and comorbidity. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 826–829.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calamari, J. E., Hale, L. R., Heffelfinger, S. K., Janeck, A. S., Lau, J. J., Weerts, M. A., et al. (2001). Relations between anxiety sensitivity and panic symptoms in nonreferred children and adolescents. Journal of Behavior Therapy, 32, 117–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chorpita, B. F., Albano, A. M., & Barlow, D. H. (1996). Child anxiety sensitivity index: Considerations for children with anxiety disorders. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 25, 77–82. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2501_9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chorpita, B. F., Yim, L., Moffitt, C., Umemoto, L. A., & Francis, S. E. (2000). Assessment of symptoms of DSM-IV anxiety and depression in children: A revised child anxiety and depression scale. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 38, 835–855. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(99)00130-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, D. M. (1986). A cognitive approach to panic. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 24, 461–470. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(86)90011-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doerfler, L. A., Connor, D. F., Volungis, A. M., & Toscano, P. F. (2007). Panic disorder in clinically referred children and adolescents. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 38, 57–71. doi:10.1007/s10578-006-0042-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donnell, C. D., & McNally, R. J. (1990). Anxiety sensitivity and panic attacks in a nonclinical population. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28, 83–85. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(90)90058-Q.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eley, T. C., Stirling, L., Ehlers, A., Gregory, A. M., & Clark, D. M. (2004). Heart-beat perception, panic/somatic symptoms, and anxiety sensitivity in children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 439–448. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(03)00152-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falsetti, S. A., & Resnick, H. S. (1997). Frequency and severity of panic attack symptoms in a treatment seeking sample of trauma victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 10, 683–689.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falsetti, S. A., Resnick, H. S., & Davis, J. (2005). Multiple channel exposure therapy: Combining cognitive-behavioral therapies for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with panic attacks. Behavior Modification, 29, 70–94. doi:10.1177/0145445504270874.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, G. S., & Drake, K. L. (2002). Anxiety sensitivity and panic attack symptomology among low income African–American adolescents. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 16, 83–96. doi:10.1016/S0887-6185(01)00092-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, B. L., Korol, M., Grace, M. C., Vary, M. G., Leonard, A. C., Gleser, G. C., et al. (1991). Children and disaster: Age, gender, and parental effects on PTSD symptoms. Journal of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 30, 945–951.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, C., Killen, J. D., Kraemer, H. C., & Taylor, C. B. (2000). Predictors of panic attacks in adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 39, 207–214. doi:10.1097/00004583-200002000-00021.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, C., Taylor, C. B., Blair-Greiner, A., Strachowski, D., Killen, J. D., Wilson, D. M., et al. (1995). School refusal in young adolescent girls with nonclinical panic attacks. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 9, 329–338. doi:10.1016/0887-6185(95)00013-E.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hensley, L., & Varela, R. E. (2008). PTSD symptoms and somatic complaints following Hurricane Katrina: The roles of trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 37, 542–552. doi:10.1080/15374410802148186.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, C. A., Albano, A. M., Eisen, A. R., Allan, W. D., & Barlow, D. H. (1997). The phenomenology of panic disorder in youngsters: An empirical study of a clinical sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 11, 49–62. doi:10.1016/S0887-6185(96)00034-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, N. J., Ollendick, T. H., Mattis, S. G., Yang, B., & Tonge, B. (1996). Nonclinical panic attacks in adolescents: Prevalence, symptomatology, and associated features. Behaviour Change, 13, 171–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Greca, A. M., Silverman, W. K., Vernberg, E. M., & Roberts, M. C. (Eds.). (2002). Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, A. J., Kennedy, C. M., & Stein, M. B. (2002). Anxiety sensitivity and PTSD among female victims of intimate partner violence. Depression and Anxiety, 16, 77–83. doi:10.1002/da.10062.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leskin, G. A., & Sheikh, J. I. (2002). Lifetime trauma history and panic disorder: Findings from the national comorbidity survey. Anxiety Disoders, 16, 599–603. doi:10.1016/S0887-6185(02)00125-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masi, G., Favilla, L., Mucci, M., & Millepiedi, S. (2000). Panic disorder in clinically referred children and adolescents. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 31, 139–151. doi:10.1023/A:1001948610318.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mattis, S. G., & Ollendick, T. H. (2002). Nonclinical panic attacks in late adolescence prevalence and associated psychopathology. Anxiety Disorders, 16, 351–367. doi:10.1016/S0887-6185(01)00085-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreau, D. L., & Follet, C. (1993). Panic disorder in children and adolescents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2, 581–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muris, P., Merckelbach, H., & Meesters, C. (2001). Learning experiences and anxiety sensitivity in normal adolescents. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 23, 279–283. doi:10.1023/A:1012783504852.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelles, W. B., & Barlow, D. H. (1988). Do children panic? Clinical Psychology Review, 8, 359–372. doi:10.1016/0272-7358(88)90064-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, R. D. V., & Bryant, R. A. (2003). Peritraumatic and persistent panic attacks in acute stress disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41, 1237–1242. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(03)00150-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, R. D. V., Resick, P. A., & Griffen, M. G. (2004). Panic following trauma: The etiology of acute posttraumatic arousal. Anxiety Disorders, 18, 193–210. doi:10.1016/S0887-6185(02)00290-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ollendick, T. H. (1998). Panic disorder in children and adolescents: New developments, new directions. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 27, 234–245. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2703_1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, R. A., & Reiss, S. (1991). Anxiety sensitivity index manual (revised). Orland Park, IL: International Diagnostic Systems Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pina, A. A., Villalta, I. K., Ortiz, C. D., Gottschall, A. C., Costa, N. M., & Weems, C. F. (2008). Social support, perceived discrimination, and coping as predictors of posttraumatic stress reactions in youth survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 37, 564–574. doi:10.1080/15374410802148228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reiss, S., Peterson, R. A., & Gursky, D. M. (1988). Anxiety sensitivity, injury sensitivity, and individual differences in fearfulness. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 26, 341–345. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(88)90088-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, N. B., Zvolensky, M. J., & Maner, J. K. (2006). Anxiety sensitivity: Prospective prediction of panic attacks and Axis I pathology. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 40, 691–699. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2006.07.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, W. K., Fleisig, W., Rabian, B., & Peterson, R. A. (1991). Childhood anxiety sensitivity index. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 20, 162–168. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2002_7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spell, A. W., Kelley, M. L., Self-Brown, S., Davidson, K., Pellegrin, A., Palcic, J., et al. (2008). The moderating effects of maternal psychopathology on children’s adjustment post-Hurricane Katrina. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32, 553–563. doi:10.1080/15374410802148210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spence, S. H. (1998). A measure of anxiety symptoms among children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36, 545–566. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(98)00034-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stein, M. B., Walker, J. R., Anderson, G., Hazen, A. L., Ross, C. A., Eldridge, G., et al. (1996). Childhood physical and sexual abuse in patients with anxiety disorders and in a community sample. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 153, 275–277.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. (1995). Anxiety sensitivity: Theoretical perspectives and recent findings. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33, 243–258. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(94)00063-P.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. (2003). Anxiety sensitivity and its implications for understanding and treating PTSD. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly, 17, 179–186. doi:10.1891/jcop.17.2.179.57431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S., & Fedoroff, I. C. (1999). The expectancy theory of fear, anxiety, and panic: A conceptual and empirical analysis. In S. Taylor (Ed.), Anxiety sensitivity: Theory, research, and treatment of the fear of anxiety (pp. 17–33). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S., Koch, W. J., & McNally, R. J. (1992). How does anxiety sensitivity vary across the anxiety disorders? Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 6, 249–259. doi:10.1016/0887-6185(92)90037-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terr, L. C. (1979). Children of Chowchilla: A study of psychic trauma. In: The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child (Vol. 34, pp. 547–623). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

  • Thyer, B. A., Parrish, R. T., Curtis, G. C., Nesse, R. M., & Cameron, O. G. (1985). Ages of onset of DSM-III anxiety disorders. Comprehensive Psychology, 26, 113–122. doi:10.1016/0010-440X(85)90031-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vernberg, E. M., La Greca, A. M., Silverman, W. K., & Prinstein, M. J. (1996). Prediction of posttraumatic stress symptoms in children after Hurricane Andrew. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105, 237–248. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.105.2.237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vernberg, E. M., & Varela, R. E. (2001). Posttraumatic stress disorder: A developmental perspective. In M. W. Vasey & M. R. Dadds (Eds.), The developmental psychopathology of anxiety (pp. 386–406). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weems, C. F., Berman, S. L., Silverman, W. K., & Rodriguez, E. (2002a). The relation between anxiety sensitivity and attachment style in adolescence and early adulthood. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 24, 159–168. doi:10.1023/A:1016058600416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weems, C. F., Costa, N. M., Watts, S. E., Taylor, L. K., & Cannon, M. F. (2007). Cognitive errors, anxiety sensitivity and anxiety control beliefs: Their unique and specific associations with childhood anxiety symptoms. Behavior Modification, 31, 174–201. doi:10.1177/0145445506297016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weems, C. F., Hayward, C., Killen, J., & Taylor, C. B. (2002b). A longitudinal investigation of anxiety sensitivity in adolescence. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111, 471–477. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.111.3.471.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weems, C. F., & Overstreet, S. (2008). Child and adolescent mental health research in the context of Hurricane Katrina: An ecological-needs-based perspective and introduction to the special section. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 37, 487–494. doi:10.1080/15374410802148251.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yehuda, R., McFarlane, A. C., & Shalev, A. Y. (1998). Predicting the development of posttraumatic stress disorder from the acute response to a traumatic event. Biological Psychiatry, 44, 1305–1313. doi:10.1016/S0006-3223(98)00276-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70125, USA

    Lauren Hensley-Maloney & R. Enrique Varela

Authors
  1. Lauren Hensley-Maloney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Enrique Varela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Enrique Varela.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hensley-Maloney, L., Varela, R.E. The Influence of Hurricane Exposure and Anxiety Sensitivity on Panic Symptoms. Child Youth Care Forum 38, 135–149 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9072-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9072-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation