Anxiety Sensitivity in Adolescents at Risk for Psychopathology

Adolescents were assessed to determine the associations between anxiety sensitivity and anxiety symptoms, anxiety disorders, and anxiety comorbidity. Both a control group and a group of adolescents whose parent or parents had an anxiety diagnosis and/or a substance use disorder were assessed to determine if the latter group was at risk for anxiety, substance abuse, or both. Anxiety sensitivity was associated with anxiety, but not depression symptoms. Adolescents of parents with a history of anxiety disorders were at increased risk for anxiety symptoms or disorders.