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Does Catastrophizing of Bodily Sensations Maintain Health-Related Anxiety? A 14-Day Daily Diary Study with Longitudinal Follow-Up

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2014

Chantal M. Gautreau ,
Simon B. Sherry ,
Dayna L. Sherry ,
Kathryn A. Birnie ,
Sean P. Mackinnon  and
Sherry H. Stewart
Chantal M. Gautreau
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
Simon B. Sherry*
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
Dayna L. Sherry
Affiliation:
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Canada
Kathryn A. Birnie
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
Sean P. Mackinnon
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
Sherry H. Stewart
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
*
Reprint requests to Simon B. Sherry, Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, PO BOX 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaB3H 4R2. E-mail: simon.sherry@dal.ca
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Abstract

Background: Health anxiety is common, impairing, and costly. The role of catastrophizing of bodily sensations (i.e. rumination about, overconcern with, and intolerance of bodily sensations) in maintaining health-related anxiety (i.e. anxiety about perceived health problems) is important, but understudied, in the health anxiety literature. Aims: The present study investigates the role of catastrophizing of bodily sensations as a maintenance factor for health-related anxiety over time. Method: Undergraduates (n = 226 women; n = 226 men) completed a baseline assessment, 14-day daily diary study, and 14-day longitudinal follow-up. Results: Path analysis indicated catastrophizing of bodily sensations maintains health-related anxiety from one month to the next in both men and women. Conclusions: The present study bridges an important gap between theory and evidence. Results support cognitive behavioral theories and extend cross-sectional research asserting catastrophizing of bodily sensations maintains health-related anxiety over time. A cyclical, self-perpetuating pattern was observed in the present study wherein catastrophizing of bodily sensations and health-related anxiety contribute to one another over time. Results also suggest targeting catastrophizing of bodily sensations may reduce health-related anxiety.

Keywords

Health anxietyhypochondriasiscatastrophizinganxietylongitudinal
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 43 , Issue 4 , July 2015 , pp. 502 - 512
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2014 

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