Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS), New Orleans, LA, USA.
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Jun;11(3):1301-1307. doi: 10.1007/s40615-023-01609-2. Epub 2023 May 2.
Black Americans are at greater risk for more severe and enduring consequences of anxiety disorders than White Americans, highlighting the need to identify malleable risk and maintenance factors. The current study aimed to examine racial differences in anxiety sensitivity and anxiety sensitivity facets between Black and White veterans (N = 285; 58% Black, 77% Male; Mage = 43.51, SD = 11.87) presenting to a PTSD specialty clinic at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. In addition to a diagnostic interview, veterans were asked to complete a brief battery of self-report questionnaires to assist with diagnostic clarification and treatment planning. Results revealed a significant difference in anxiety sensitivity total scores between Black (M = 44.5, SD = 17.2) and White veterans (M = 36.1, SD = 17.7), such that Black veterans evinced higher levels. When examining anxiety sensitivity subfacets, Black veterans also evinced elevated levels of physical (M = 14.4, SD = 6.6) and cognitive concerns (M = 15.2, SD = 6.5) compared to White veterans (M = 9.8, SD = 6.2; M = 11.7, SD = 6.6, respectively). Results indicate that anxiety sensitivity is a relevant risk factor among Black veterans. Future studies should examine the extent to which anxiety sensitivity is modifiable in such populations.
非裔美国人比白种美国人更容易出现焦虑障碍的更严重和持久后果，这凸显了确定可改变的风险和维持因素的必要性。本研究旨在检查黑人和白人退伍军人（N=285；58%为黑人，77%为男性；Mage=43.51，SD=11.87）之间焦虑敏感性和焦虑敏感性方面的种族差异，这些退伍军人在退伍军人事务部（VA）医院的 PTSD 专科诊所就诊。除了诊断访谈外，退伍军人还被要求完成一份简短的自我报告问卷，以协助明确诊断和治疗计划。结果显示，黑人和白人退伍军人的焦虑敏感性总评分存在显著差异（黑人：M=44.5，SD=17.2；白人：M=36.1，SD=17.7），黑人退伍军人的得分更高。当检查焦虑敏感性亚方面时，黑人退伍军人在身体（M=14.4，SD=6.6）和认知担忧（M=15.2，SD=6.5）方面的得分也高于白人退伍军人（M=9.8，SD=6.2；M=11.7，SD=6.6）。结果表明，焦虑敏感性是黑人退伍军人的一个相关风险因素。未来的研究应该检查在这些人群中，焦虑敏感性在多大程度上是可改变的。
