Anxiety sensitivity and its relationship to spontaneous and cued panic attacks in college students.

The present study was an attempt to clarify the relationship that exists between anxiety sensitivity and panic attacks. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) and the Anxiety Questionnaire were administered to 463 college students to determine their levels of anxiety sensitivity and history of spontaneous and cued panic attacks. High anxiety sensitive Ss experienced more spontaneous panic attacks than the medium or low anxiety sensitive Ss. Additionally, high anxiety sensitive Ss reported more cued panic attacks than the medium or low anxiety sensitive Ss. These results suggest that both spontaneous and cued panic attacks may play a prominent role in the development of anxiety sensitivity.