Ask a Librarian

Threre are lots of ways to contact a librarian. Choose what works best for you.

HOURS TODAY

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Reference Desk

CONTACT US BY PHONE

(802) 656-2022

Voice

(802) 503-1703

Text

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR EMAIL A QUESTION

Schedule an Appointment

Meet with a librarian or subject specialist for in-depth help.

Email a Librarian

Submit a question for reply by e-mail.

WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE RIGHT AWAY?

Library Hours for Friday, March 29th

All of the hours for today can be found below. We look forward to seeing you in the library.
HOURS TODAY
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
MAIN LIBRARY

SEE ALL LIBRARY HOURS
WITHIN HOWE LIBRARY

MapsM-Th by appointment, email govdocs@uvm.edu

Media Services8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Reference Desk11:00 am - 3:00 pm

OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Special Collections10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Dana Health Sciences Library7:30 am - 6:00 pm

 

CATQuest

Search the UVM Libraries' collections

UVM Theses and Dissertations

Browse by Department
Format:
Print
Author:
Marshall, Erin C.
Dept./Program:
Psychology
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
Past work has demonstrated significant associations between anxiety sensitivity (AS; McNally, 2001), or a fear of anxiety and related sensations, and greater risk for panic disorder (PD), as well as greater panic-relevant responding to laboratory biological challenges. Existing theory suggests that individuals with unexpected panic attacks who are also high in AS may be at greatest risk for developing PD. The current study aimed to examine this potential interaction using a 4-minute 10% carbon dioxide (CO₂)-enriched air biological challenge paradigm. Specifically, it was hypothesized that individuals with a recent (past two years) history of nonclinical, unexpected panic attacks who endorsed higher levels of AS would demonstrate greater PD-relevant risk in response to the CO₂ challenge, as evidenced by: (1) greater level of post-challenge anxiety and intensity of endorsed panic attack symptoms; (2) greater increase in skin conductance level; (3) greater self-reported avoidance of an additional (perceived-to-be-possible) challenge provocation; (4) higher incidence of behavioral disturbance (e.g., mask-pulling) during the CO₂ administration; and (5) slower recovery from the challenge in terms of self-reported anxiety and skin conductance level.
Participants were 128 adults (63.3% women; Mage = 23.2, SD = 8.9) who completed a baseline session, consisting of structured clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires, as well as an experimental session, consisting of the CO₂-enriched air biological challenge procedure. Contrary to hypotheses, the interaction of a nonclinical panic attack history with AS was not significantly predictive of laboratory challenge responding, with the exception of challenge minute 4 skin conductance level. Possible explanations for the overall pattern of null findings are explored, as well as potential implications, study limitations, and future directions for this line of work.