Anxiety Sensitivity: Theory, Research, and Treatment of the Fear of Anxiety

experimental, longitudinal, and psychometric studies. The findings of these studies consistently support the etiological importance of AS and show that it is of greater predictive significance than conceptually related variables such as trait anxiety. Evidence also suggests that AS plays a role in a broader range of clinical phenomena than was originally predicted, including depression, substance abuse, and chronic pain. Third, interventions designed to decrease AS have been shown to be effective treatments for panic disorder and may play a role in the treatment of other disorders.

Several reviews of AS have been published in journal articles (e.g., Reiss, 1991; Taylor, 1995). However, none has covered all the domains of the AS literature and there has yet to be a comprehensive survey. The purpose of this volume is to gather experts from a variety of areas to cover the different aspects of theory, research, and treatment of AS. Given that AS is relevant to a wide range of psychopathological phenomena, we hope that this first state-of-the-art review is of interest to clinicians, researchers, their students, and trainees in all the mental health professions. Steven Taylor

-- Steven Taylor

Clark D. M. ( 1986). "A cognitive approach to panic". Behaviour Research and Therapy, 24, 461-470.

Reiss S. ( 1991). "Expectancy theory of fear, anxiety, and panic". Clinical Psychology Review, 11, 141-153.

Reiss S., & McNally R. J. ( 1985). "The expectancy model of fear". In S. Reiss & R. R. Bootzin (Eds.), Theoretical issues in behavior therapy (pp. 107-121). New York: Academic Press.

Taylor S. ( 1995). "Anxiety sensitivity: Theoretical perspectives and recent findings". Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33, 243-258.

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