Incremental validity of psychological flexibility, anxiety sensitivity, and mindfulness in the prediction of panic disorder symptomology and life satisfaction
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. Reducing the fear of anxiety-related sensations (anxiety sensitivity) is a core putative mechanism of CBT for panic disorder. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic therapy approach that shares some similarities with traditional CBT but differs in many key aspects. ACT has attracted interest and generated debate in academic and clinical domains. Research suggests that ACT is an efficacious treatment in the context of panic disorder and other anxiety-related disorders. However, the incremental utility of ACT-related constructs (e.g., psychological flexibility, mindfulness) relative to traditional CBT-related constructs (e.g., anxiety sensitivity) in the prediction of panic symptomology and life satisfaction is unclear. The few results that exist in this area have been mixed. The present study found anxiety sensitivity and psychological flexibility supplemented one another in the prediction of panic disorder symptoms and life satisfaction. Mindfulness was not a significant predictor of either panic or life satisfaction. The results suggest that both traditional and third wave CBT constructs (i.e., anxiety sensitivity and psychological flexibility) are useful predictors of panic symptoms and life satisfaction
