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Biopsychosocial conceptualizations of clinical pain conditions recognize the multi-faceted nature of pain experience and its intersection with mental health. A primary cognitive-behavioural framework is the Fear-Avoidance Model, which posits that pain catastrophizing and fear of pain (including avoidance, cognitions and physiological reactivity) are key antecedents to, and drivers of, pain intensity and disability, in addition to pain-related psychological distress. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the magnitude of the cross-sectional association between the primary components of the Fear-Avoidance Model (pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, pain vigilance) with negative affect, anxiety, depression, pain intensity and disabilities in studies of clinical pain.A search of MEDLINE and PubMed databases resulted in 335 studies that were evaluated in this meta-analytic review, which represented 65,340 participants.Results from the random effect models indicated a positive, medium- to large-sized association between fear of pain, pain catastrophizing, and pain vigilance measures and outcomes (pain-related negative affect, anxiety, depression and pain-related disability) and medium-sized associations with pain intensity. Fear of pain measurement type was a significant moderator of effects across all outcomes.These findings provide empirical support, aligned with the components of the fear-avoidance (FA) model, for the relevance of both pain catastrophizing and fear of pain to the pain experience and its intersection with mental health. Implications for the conceptualization of the pain catastrophizing and fear of pain construct and its measurement are discussed.This meta-analysis reveals that, among individuals with various pain conditions, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, and pain vigilance have medium to large associations with pain- related negative affect, anxiety, and depression, pain intensity and disability. Differences in the strength of the associations depend on the type of self-report tool used to assess fear of pain.

Exercise sensitivity, fear of physical sensations of exertion, is particularly elevated in individuals with cardiovascular disease and can promote fear-avoidance of physical activity. We developed an ACT-informed exposure intervention to target exercise sensitivity, called Behavioral Exposure For Interoceptive Tolerance (BE-FIT). In this Stage I pilot trial, we developed and evaluated the feasibility, safety, and initial efficacy of BE-FIT in low active patients with elevated exercise sensitivity enrolled in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. BE-FIT is a 6-session manualized program adjunctive treatment delivered during the initial weeks of cardiac rehabilitation and involves exposure to feared bodily sensations and exercise situations, bolstered by acceptance and values-focused processes. Patients (Mage=70.7 years) were assigned to BE-FIT (n=12) or an activity monitoring-only control (n=7). Patients in the BE-FIT condition reported high satisfaction, completed 100% of sessions, and 86.3% (SD=16.4%) of homework exposures. There were no adverse events reported. BE-FIT produced large-sized effects on reductions in exercise sensitivity and increases in both average steps/day and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) mins/day, from baseline to end-of-treatment. In contrast, the monitoring-only cohort evidenced small-sized reductions in exercise sensitivity and no change in average steps/day or MVPA mins/day. BE-FIT is safe, feasible, acceptable with promising findings from this Stage I trial.

Obesity and migraine are often comorbid. Poor sleep quality is also common among individuals with migraine and may be influenced by comorbidities such as obesity. However, understanding of migraine’s relationship with sleep and the potential exacerbating effect of obesity remains limited. This study evaluated the associations of migraine characteristics and clinical features with sleep quality among women with comorbid migraine and overweight/obesity and assessed the interplay between obesity severity and migraine characteristics/clinical features in relation to sleep quality. Women seeking treatment for migraine and obesity (n = 127; NCT01197196) completed a validated questionnaire assessing sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI). Migraine headache characteristics and clinical features were assessed using smartphone-based daily diaries. Weight was measured in-clinic, and several potential confounders were assessed using rigorous methods. Nearly 70% of participants endorsed poor sleep quality. Greater monthly migraine days and the presence of phonophobia related to poorer sleep quality, and specifically poorer sleep efficiency, controlling for confounders. Obesity severity was neither independently associated nor interacted with migraine characteristics/features to predict sleep quality. Poor sleep quality is common among women with comorbid migraine and overweight/obesity, although obesity severity does not appear to uniquely relate to or exacerbate the association between migraine and sleep in this population. Results can guide research on mechanisms of the migraine–sleep link and inform clinical care.

The psychological effect of the pandemic and measures taken in response to control viral spread are not yet well understood in university students; in-depth qualitative analysis can provide nuanced information about the young adult distress experience. Undergraduate students ( N = 624) in an early US outbreak “hotspot” completed an online narrative writing about the impact and distress experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected April-May 2020. A random selection of 50 cases were sampled for thematic analysis. Nine themes were identified: viral outbreak distress, fear of virus contraction/transmission, proximity to virus, dissatisfaction with public response, physical distancing distress, social distancing distress, academic and school-related distress, disruptive changes in health behavior and routines, financial strain and unemployment, worsening of pre-existing mental health problems, and social referencing that minimizes distress. Future work is needed to understand the persistence of the distress, in addition to developing methods for assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of the distress.

Given the potential for obesity to complicate migraine treatment outcomes, there is a need to understand patterns and correlates of acute medication use among individuals with this comorbidity. Experience sampling methodology (ESM) was used to characterize patterns of acute medication use among those with migraine and overweight/obesity and to examine individual and momentary factors related to medication use (both migraine-specific and nonspecific medications). Women with migraine and overweight/obesity (N = 170) seeking behavioral migraine treatment completed questionnaires followed by 28 days of daily ESM headache diaries. Participants used medications to treat 71.9% of attacks, 20% of which were treated with migraine-specific medications. Participants were more likely to use medication in the context of longer and more severe attacks that started earlier in the day. Presence of aura and greater work-related pain interference uniquely related to migraine-specific medication use. Questionnaire-assessed factors were not related to medication use, although older age and higher educational attainment related to more frequent use. A substantial proportion of attacks were left untreated, suggesting unmet treatment needs in this population. Results also suggest that ESM-assessed factors are more salient correlates of medication use compared to questionnaires. Additional investigation of barriers to medication use is needed.Obesity may contribute to more severe migraine symptoms and negatively impact migraine treatment outcomes. The present study aimed to understand patterns of acute medication use among 170 women with migraine and obesity who were seeking behavioral migraine treatment. Data were collected in participants’ natural environment using experience sampling methodology, during which participants reported daily migraine symptoms for 4 weeks. Approximately, 30% of attacks were not treated with any medications, and one in five attacks (i.e., 20%) was treated with migraine-specific medication. Participants were more likely to use medication during longer and more severe attacks that started earlier in the day. Participants were also more likely to use migraine-specific medication when attacks were precipitated by an aura and associated with work-related pain interference. Questionnaire-assessed factors were not related to medication use, although older age and higher educational attainment related to more frequent use. In general, these results also suggest that naturalistically assessed factors are more salient correlates of medication use compared to questionnaires. Additional investigation of barriers to medication use is needed among younger individuals and those of lower socioeconomic status.

Background Despite plausibility of migraine headaches contributing to impaired sexual function among women, data are inconsistent and point to obesity as a potential confounder. Prospective studies that assess the relative importance of migraine improvements and weight loss in relation to sexual function could help elucidate associations among migraine, obesity and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Objective To evaluate sexual function changes and predictors of improvement after behavioural weight loss (BWL) intervention for migraine or migraine education (ME). Methods Women with migraine and overweight/obesity were randomized to 16 weeks of BWL (n = 54) or ME (n = 56). Participants completed a 4-week smartphone headache diary and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at pre- and post-treatment. A validated FSFI total cut-off score defined FSD. We compared changes in FSFI scores and FSD rates between conditions and evaluated migraine improvements and weight loss as predictors of sexual functioning in the full sample. Results Among treatment completers (n = 85), 56 (65.9%) participants who reported sexual activity at pre- and post-treatment were analysed. Migraine improvements were similar between conditions, whereas BWL had greater weight losses compared with ME. FSD rates did not change overall (48.2% to 44.6%, p = .66) or by condition (BWL: 56.0% to 40.0% vs. ME: 41.9% to 48.4%, p = .17). Similar patterns were observed for changes in FSFI total and subscale scores. Across conditions, larger weight losses predicted greater improvements in FSFI total and arousal subscale scores, whereas larger migraine headache frequency reductions predicted greater improvements in FSFI satisfaction subscale scores. Conclusion Sexual functioning did not improve with either BWL or ME despite migraine headache improvements in both conditions and weight loss after BWL. However, weight loss related to improvements in physiological components of the sexual response (i.e., arousal) and overall sexual functioning, whereas reduced headache frequency related to improved sexual satisfaction. Additional research with larger samples is needed.

A common behavioral therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease is activation of values-consistent living, which can facilitate positive lifestyle behavior change. However, the empirical study of values-consistent living has been limited by significant heterogeneity in measurement due to the absence of a ‘gold-standard’ assessment tool. The Valuing Questionnaire (VQ), a 10-item self-report measure that taps progress in and obstruction of values-consistent living, is well suited for use in research and clinical settings, yet its psychometric properties have been limitedly examined despite its frequent use. The current study utilized data from an anonymous online survey to evaluate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the VQ in adults (n = 252) with a self-reported history of cardiovascular disease or elevated disease risk. Results from a confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the two-factor structure, reflecting progress towards values and obstruction of valued living. Additionally, the VQ factor scores evidenced internal consistency, convergent, concurrent, and incremental predictive validity. VQ factors scores also evidenced known groups validity, distinguishing between those with/without psychological distress. The VQ appears to be an adequate measure of progress and obstruction towards valued-consistent living for use among adults at risk for or with cardiovascular disease. Findings support the use of the VQ in behavioral medicine research and practice.

Background Migraine and obesity are comorbid particularly in women of reproductive age. Obesity treatment involves reducing energy intake and improving dietary quality but the effect of these changes on migraine is largely unknown. Objective To determine if adherence to dietary intervention targets (ie, total energy, dietary fat intake, and dietary quality) were associated with improvements in migraine and weight. Methods Eighty-four women with overweight/obesity and migraine were randomized to and completed either a 16-week behavioral weight loss (BWL) or a migraine education (ME) intervention. For 28 days at baseline and posttreatment, women recorded monthly migraine days, duration, and maximum pain intensity via smartphone-based diary. At each assessment, weight was measured and dietary intake (total energy intake, percent (%) energy from fat, and diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index, 2010 [HEI-2010]) was assessed using three nonconsecutive 24-hour diet recalls. Results There were no significant group differences in change mean migraine days per month (BWL: -2.6+4.0, ME: -4.0+4.4; p = 0.1). Participants in BWL significantly reduced their percent fat intake 3.8% (p = 0.004) and improved total diet quality (HEI-2010) by 6.7 points (p = 0.003) relative to baseline and those in ME (%fat: +0.3%; p = 0.821; HEI-2010: +0.7; p = 0.725). After controlling for race/ethnicity and weight change, changes in dietary intake were not related to changes in migraine characteristics or weight loss among BWL participants (p's > 0.05). Conclusions Changes in dietary intake among participants were small and may have been insufficient to improve migraine in women with overweight/obesity and migraine.

Despite the well-known linkages between poor emotion regulation and subjective smoking motives, little is known about the role of emotion regulation in predicting smoking reinforcement behavior. This study examined the relation between difficulties in emotion regulation and puff velocity data, a behavioral index of smoking reinforcement, in adult daily cigarette smokers.The current study was a secondary analysis of data collected from non-treatment seeking daily smokers (N = 124). Participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) followed by an ad libitum smoking period during which puff topography data was collected via a handheld puffing device. Puff velocity served as our puff topography index and was examined at the average and puff-to-puff level using regression and multi-level models, respectively.Regression analyses showed no significant association between DERS scores and average puff velocity. In contrast, multi-level modeling found a significant quadratic time × DERS effect at the puff-to-puff level, such that those with greater emotion regulation difficulties inhaled more quickly at the initiation of the cigarette, whereas those with lower emotion regulation difficulties evidenced consistent puffing over the course of the cigarette.Smokers with greater difficulties in emotion regulation appear to smoke in a way that maximizes delivery of nicotine, perhaps to self-regulate distress. One's style of puffing may reflect a possible behavioral marker of negative reinforcement smoking, especially in the context of emotional distress.This study was the first to explore the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and a behavioral measure of smoking reinforcement.

Introduction Avoidance of physical activity is a common migraine management strategy. Anxiety sensitivity (i.e. fear of anxiety and bodily sensations due to physical, cognitive, or social consequences) is a potential correlate of physical activity avoidance and may strengthen beliefs about physical activity's detrimental effect on migraine. Method Women (n = 100) with probable migraine diagnosis completed an online survey about migraine and physical activity, which included the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3. Results Anxiety sensitivity was associated with significantly increased odds of avoiding moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity. Anxiety sensitivity, particularly cognitive concerns, was associated with more frequent vigorous and moderate physical activity avoidance. Social concerns about anxiety sensitivity were associated with stronger expected likelihood of vigorous-intensity physical activity as a triggering and worsening factor in migraine. Discussion Preliminary findings indicate that anxiety sensitivity may contribute to avoidance of moderate and vigorous physical activity and fear-based cognitions about exercise.

Although the association between anxiety and sleep disturbance is well-documented, the underlying mechanisms are less clear. Anxiety sensitivity (AS), the fear of physiological arousal and bodily sensations, is a risk factor for anxiety and poor sleep. Smoking also contributes to poor sleep and may compound the effects of AS on sleep quality. This study evaluated the main and interactive effects of AS and cigarettes/day on sleep quality among smokers. Participants (n = 190) were adult treatment-seeking daily smokers who completed a baseline assessment as part of a larger smoking cessation trial. Sleep quality was self-reported. Results indicated that AS was significantly correlated with greater disturbance in sleep duration, subjective sleep quality, sleep onset latency, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction, and sleep medication use. There was a significant interaction between AS and cigarettes/day in terms of sleep onset latency, but not other sleep quality indices. AS was associated with significantly longer sleep onset latency minutes among heavier smokers, but not lighter smokers. Specifically, the association between AS and sleep onset latency was significant for those who smoked ≥ 33 cigarettes/day. AS is a psychological factor that may contribute to poor sleep quality, especially in heavy smokers, and thus may be a promising intervention target.

Purpose One unexplored mechanism for poor outcomes in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation (CVPR) is fear about aerobic exercise. Patients in CVPR may tend to avoid aerobic exercise because of the fear of physical sensations associated with exertion. This study examined fear about exercise in patients enrolled in outpatient CVPR and practitioner beliefs and behaviors related to fear associated with exercise. Methods Survey data were collected from patients (n = 117) enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (n = 69) and pulmonary rehabilitation (n = 48) and practitioners (n = 16) who were exercise physiologists and nurses working in CVPR. Results Fears about exercise and avoidance behaviors were common among patients. In pulmonary rehabilitation, fears and avoidance of exercise were correlated with higher levels of anxiety and depression (r values = 0.27-0.54), lower forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration/forced vital capacity (r values = -0.13 to -0.39), lower health-related quality of life (r values = -0.13 to -0.62), and stronger beliefs about utility of anxiety treatment (r values = 0.21-0.36). In cardiac rehabilitation, fears about exercise were correlated with higher levels of anxiety (r values = 0.19-0.38), lower mental health quality of life (r values = -0.25 to -0.27), and stronger beliefs about utility of anxiety treatment (r values = 0.30-0.40), and avoidance of exercise was correlated with lower exercise tolerance and poorer physical health quality of life (r values = -0.22 to -0.24). Practitioners estimated that an average of 47 ± 20% of patients experience fear associated with exercise and reported low feelings of preparedness to address patient anxiety and fear. Conclusions It may be beneficial to provide practitioners with skills to recognize and address anxiety and fear in their patients as it relates to exercise.

Background The acute effects of aerobic exercise on improved mood and anxiety reduction have been demonstrated across clinical and nonclinical populations. Limited work has evaluated the acute effects of aerobic exercise on negative affect, obsessions, and compulsions in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Method Fifty-five patients (64% female) with treatment-resistant OCD were randomized to either 12 weeks of aerobic exercise (AE) or health education contact (HEC) control. Participants rated negative affect (i.e., mood and anxiety), obsessions and compulsions before and after each weekly AE or HEC session. Multilevel models were constructed to evaluate the effect of intervention condition, treatment week (time), and their interaction in terms of acute change in affect, obsession, and compulsions. Results Results reflected a main effect of condition, such that AE resulted in significantly larger increases in positive mood, and reductions in anxiety and compulsions, as compared to HEC. There was also a main effect of time in predicting acute anxiety reduction, such that linear reductions in anxiety over the course of treatment were observed. No significant effects were observed for acute changes in obsessions. Limitations The sample was small and was limited in demographic heterogeneity. Bouts of aerobic exercise were not standardized in terms of duration and mode, which could impact affective response to exercise, and acute affective OCD effects were exclusively self-reported. Discussion The current findings may help elucidate potential mechanisms of action of exercise on OCD outcomes. In addition, these results point toward the potential of designing exercise interventions that can teach patients to utilize individual bouts of physical activity, “in-the-moment” to improve mood and reduce anxiety and compulsions.

This study explored demographic and clinical features, plus clinical outcomes, in a smoke-free acute partial hospital (PH) among current smokers, former smokers, and those who had never smoked (nonsmokers). Compared with nonsmokers, current smokers were younger and more likely to be unmarried and unpartnered, unemployed, or receiving disability benefits. They had more prior inpatient (IP) and PH episodes. They also had more problems with interpersonal relationships, mood lability, psychosis, and substance use. Compared with nonsmokers, current smokers were more likely to miss PH treatment days and drop out. They also had longer time to readmission to PH or IP. Former smokers resembled nonsmokers, except that former smokers also had a high rate of dropout. Changes in symptoms and functioning for patients who completed PH were the same among all groups. In an acute PH setting, smoking is a marker for psychiatric and psychosocial impairment plus treatment interruption.

Lifestyle physical activity (LPA) interventions are a promising alternative to structured exercise interventions for addressing mental health problems. The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on LPA interventions in any population in order to determine (a) the extent to which mental health outcomes were examined and (b) whether benefits in mental health outcomes were observed. Mental health outcomes were defined as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, health-related quality of life, and psychological well-being. A total of 73 articles were identified as LPA intervention, of which 24.7% (n = 18) reported the effect of LPA intervention on mental health outcomes. The most commonly evaluated mental health outcome was depression, and to a lesser extent anxiety and perceived stress. Overall, findings point to promising effects of LPA interventions across common mental health problems. Key areas for future research are discussed in light of emergent limitations in existing published studies.

The COVID-19 pandemic is positioned to exact a substantial mental health toll on the global population. Heightened fears of viral contamination and fears of the negative consequences of social distancing (e.g., fears related to home confinement, fears of loneliness and isolation) might contribute to the distress caused by the pandemic. Cross-sectional data were collected from undergraduates (N = 608) residing in a U.S. pandemic "hotspot" at the time of data collection (between 7 April to 9 May, 2020). Outcome variables included viral contamination fears and social distancing fears. Predictor variables included biological sex, underlying medical vulnerability, number of recent viral symptoms, presence of positive COVID-19 test in social network, anxiety, depression, stress, emotion dysregulation, intolerance of uncertainty, body vigilance, and health anxiety. Female sex, anxiety severity, intolerance of uncertainty, and health anxiety uniquely predicted fears of viral contamination. Female sex and depression severity uniquely predicted fears of social distancing. Multiple anxiety-related vulnerabilities are potential intervention targets for reducing viral contamination fears. Depression is a potential intervention target for social distancing fears. Females might be at greater risk for both types of fears.

This case report describes the assessment and treatment of a treatment-naive 36-year-old Hispanic/Latina female with comorbid pica and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and iron-deficiency anemia. At the onset of treatment, the client consumed chalkboard chalk and vermiculite from potting soil approximately three times per week and presented with moderate-severity GAD. Assessment and treatment occurred over 24 weekly outpatient individual sessions. Treatment was delivered in concert with medical intervention to address anemia. A cognitive-behavioral case formulation was developed from multiple assessment sources. A process-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention approach was used to target GAD and pica simultaneously, which included psychoeducation, self-monitoring, arousal reduction skills, cognitive training (reappraisal, distancing), and behavior modification/stimulus control techniques. Barriers to treatment and their solutions are discussed. At the end of treatment, the client demonstrated increased insight and understanding of her worry symptoms and pica behavior, acquired cognitive skills and arousal reduction strategies for managing GAD, and reported less than one episode of pica per week. The identified assessment and treatment approach is worthy of future investigation to inform empirically based treatment development efforts, especially for pica.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette demand, or relative value, can be assessed via analysis of performance on a hypothetical behavioral economic cigarette purchase task (CPT). Substance purchase tasks are highly amenable to manipulation, namely, external stimuli, instructional changes, or acute stressors. In this regard, the current secondary analysis evaluates the role a novel, computerized stress induction paradigm, the Contextual-Frustration Intolerance Typing Task (C-FiTT), plays in eliciting varying levels of stress and resulting demand. METHOD: Daily smokers (n = 484) completed a computerized internet-based distress provocation task wherein they were randomly assigned to one of five distress conditions: combination of task difficulty (low or high difficulty) with neutral or withdrawal cues, and a neutral control group. Tobacco demand was assessed immediately following the distress task using the hypothetical CPT. RESULTS: The C-FiTT distress-induction task significantly increased key cigarette demand indices, including price at maximum expenditure (P(max)) and first price where consumption was suppressed to zero (breakpoint). Moreover, demand increased with severity of C-FiTT condition, with the high-difficulty condition resulting in significantly higher breakpoint and P(max), compared to other conditions. C-FiTT condition was not related to a significant increase in O(max), intensity, or elasticity. DISCUSSION: The novel C-FiTT paradigm produced comparable effects on tobacco demand relative to in vivo withdrawal induction, indicating that C-FiTT is a viable procedure by which to influence demand. Reduction of internal and external stressors may be effective in lowering motivation for tobacco. These results highlight the importance of state distress in tobacco demand, and offer a potential avenue for intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Vaporization of marijuana products, or “vaping,” has become a prevalent mode of administration and is typically perceived to hold unique benefits compared to combustible administration methods. Such positive beliefs regarding marijuana vaporization may contribute to its abuse liability. This qualitative study examined cognitions pertaining to vaping among recreational marijuana users. METHOD: Focus groups were conducted with frequent marijuana users (N = 31; five groups; six to seven per group; M = 5.0 days/week marijuana use). Three topic areas were queried during discussions with the goal of revealing factors that may contribute to the abuse liability of vaporization. These comprised differences between smoking and vaporizing marijuana products, perceived advantages of vaporization, and perceived disadvantages of vaporization. Focus groups lasted approximately 60 minutes and followed a semistructured agenda; the sessions were audio recorded and transcribed for an applied thematic analysis. An executive summary of each group was made and key themes pertaining to vaporization were summarized. RESULTS: Several themes emerged, including differences between smoking and vaporizing marijuana, convenience, discretion, and efficiency of vaping, perceived health benefits, the absence of traditional smoking rituals, and the high cost of vaporization devices. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors appear to promote marijuana vaporization, including device aspects (e.g., discreet, convenient), the subjective high, economical efficiency, and perceived harm-reducing and health-promoting effects. These qualitative data highlight unique cognitions about marijuana vaping that may substantially increase its abuse liability. Quantitative research is needed to examine the extent to which cognitions about marijuana vaporization contribute to actual use patterns and problematic behaviors.

Exercise is an efficacious treatment approach for the prevention and management of depression. In this article, we review the efficacy of aerobic exercise and resistance training in the treatment of depression, including comparative efficacy to pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. We describe existing exercise interventions for depression and provide recommendations for how to prescribe exercise for the treatment of depression, ways to maximize intervention adherence, and safety considerations. We also review clinical considerations relevant to exercise in a select subset of special circumstances, including bipolar depression, perinatal depression, and depression in the context of chronic pain conditions and substance use disorders. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2019;49(1):6–10.]

Anxiety symptoms and disorders are the most common psychiatric problems world-wide and are vastly overrepresented among individuals with chronic illness and poor health behavior. The purpose of the current special series is to bolster attention and highlight new research on cognitive processes as a basic element that may undergird the association between anxiety and chronic illness and health behavior. Findings in this issue highlight cognitive-based risk and resilience factors related to anxiety in individuals with various chronic conditions and problematic health behavior.

Introduction Distress intolerance, an individual's perceived or actual inability to withstand negative emotional or physical distress, contributes to the maintenance of smoking. However, there is limited understanding of the contextual factors that impact distress intolerance in general or among smokers specifically. This study aimed to adapt and test a computerized behavioral persistence task that requires re-typing a passage while adhering to specific instructions (Contextual-Frustration Intolerance Typing Task [C-FiTT]). C-FiTT was designed to model contextual factors that influence distress intolerance, negative affect, and smoking urges. Method Daily smokers (n = 550) were recruited through the use of Qualtrics Panels. Using a 2 × 2 + 1 experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to one of four C-FiTT conditions that crossed task difficulty (low or high difficulty) with passage content (neutral or tobacco withdrawal text), or a neutral control group. Results C-FiTT produced an average persistence time of 94.1 ± 114.3 s and 64.7% of participants self-terminated the task. C-FiTT also produced small to medium sized-increases in negative affect and smoking urges. Between-condition comparisons indicated that the high-difficulty C-FiTT produced shorter behavioral persistence, greater self-termination likelihood, and larger increases in negative affect and smoking urges. The combination of high-difficulty and withdrawal content resulted in the shortest persistence time, 100% self-termination rate, and largest increases in negative affect and smoking urges, compared to other conditions Conclusions Findings provide initial evidence for the validity of C-FiTT in smokers within the context of tobacco withdrawal at low and high levels of task difficulty. Avenues for refinement and use of C-FiTT are discussed.

Cigarette smoking and poor weight control independently and synergistically increase risk for morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have examined the etiological role of emotion-regulatory dysfunction in the link between smoking and poor weight control, as well as the possible moderating role of sex. Participants (n = 577; Mage = 44.42; SD = 13.80; 52.7% female) were daily smokers who completed a single survey online through Qualtrics. Emotional vulnerability was indexed by a latent construct comprised of the subscales from the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). A regression model was constructed to examine the relation between emotional vulnerability and poor weight control, measured via body mass index (BMI). Emotional vulnerability was significantly and positively associated with BMI (b = .08, p = .020). The effect was moderated by sex, such that emotional vulnerability was significantly related to BMI in female smokers (b = .15, p = .002), but not in male smokers (b = .01, p = .806). Emotional vulnerability appears to be a novel female-specific psychological mechanism related to poor weight control in smokers. Possible limitations are discussed.

Background Habitual engagement in aerobic exercise is critically important for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of anxiety and arousal sensations, is a cognitive factor associated with risk and persistence of anxiety and stress disorders. Anxiety sensitivity has also been linked to various problematic health behaviors, including low levels of physical activity. Thus, anxiety sensitivity may undermine aerobic exercise participation in patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Purpose This is the first study to evaluate anxiety sensitivity in patients enrolled in CR, and examine the association between anxiety sensitivity and fears about the negative consequences of exercise. Methods Patients (n = 69, 68.1% male) were enrolled in an outpatient, medically-supervised, multi-component 12-week CR program. Anxiety sensitivity was assessed with the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Results On average, patients had completed 5.3 (SD = 3.5) weeks of CR. Scores on the ASI-3 indicated moderate levels of anxiety sensitivity (M = 17.2, SD = 12.3). Moderate and high levels of anxiety sensitivity were present in 43.5% and 31.9% of patients. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly moderately correlated with fear of negative consequences from exercise. After adjusting for relevant covariates, anxiety sensitivity accounted for significant incremental variance in fears of negative consequences from exercise, which was a medium-sized effect. Conclusions Elevated anxiety sensitivity is common in patients enrolled in CR and is associated with greater fears of negative consequences from exercise. Anxiety sensitivity may be an important clinical target in CR to decrease patients’ fears about bodily sensations to promote exercise engagement, and in turn, enhance CR outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: A growing body of research indicates that pain is associated with the maintenance of tobacco smoking. Distress intolerance (DI) may play an important role in the link between pain and smoking. The goal of this study was to examine the association between past-month pain status and DI among a sample of daily cigarette smokers. It was hypothesized that smokers who reported past-month pain (vs. those reporting no past-month pain) would have higher perceived DI (i.e., lower scores on the Distress Tolerance Scale [DTS]) and higher physical DI (i.e., shorter persistence during the Breath-Holding Duration Task), and would report greater subjective distress and physical sensations during the breath-holding task. METHOD: Participants (N = 126) were daily smokers (56.3% male) who attended a baseline session for a larger experimental study on smoking behavior. Participants selfreported the presence and severity of past-month pain and completed two breath-holding duration trials approximately 15 minutes after smoking. Data were cross-sectional in nature. RESULTS: Smokers with past-month pain had lower scores on the DTS relative to smokers without pain. No differences in breath-holding duration were observed. In addition, smokers with past-month pain, relative to those without, reported greater subjective distress and physical sensations during the initial, but not second, breath-holding trial. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that smokers with co-occurring pain may harbor beliefs about their inability to tolerate aversive psychological states, and are more emotionally reactive to physiological provocation (breath-holding task), than smokers without co-occurring pain. DI among smokers with pain may represent one mechanism by which pain contributes to the maintenance of smoking behavior.

INTRODUCTION: Distress intolerance (DI), one’s perceived or behavioral incapacity to withstand distress, is implicated in psychopathology and smoking. This study evaluated the effect of DI on smoking reinforcement in the context of a carbon dioxide (CO(2)) biological challenge. METHODS: Adult daily smokers (n = 90; 48.9% female) were randomized to receive a single inhalation/breath of 35% CO(2)-enriched air (n = 45) or compressed room air (n = 45). Perceived DI was assessed before the challenge. Smoking reinforcement was examined via average post-challenge puff volume across puffs and at the puff-to-puff level. RESULTS: Higher DI was associated with an increased average puff volume (b = −4.7, p = .031). CO(2) produced decreased average puff volume compared with room air (b = −7.7, p = .018). There was a DI* condition interaction (ƒ(2) = 0.02), such that CO(2) decreased average puff volume compared with room air in smokers with higher DI (b = −13.9, t = −3.06, p = .003), but not lower DI. At the puff-to-puff level, there was a significant interaction between DI, condition, and cubic time (b = 0.0003, p =. 037). Specifically, room air produced large initial puff volumes that decreased from puff to puff over the cigarette for high- and low-DI smokers. CO(2) produced persistent flat volumes from puff to puff over the cigarette for higher DI smokers, whereas CO(2) produced puff volumes like that of room air in lower DI smokers. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest DI heightens smoking reinforcement generally, and in the context of intense cardiorespiratory distress, is associated with stable and persistent smoking. DI is a promising therapeutic target that, if addressed through psychological intervention, may improve cessation outcomes by decreasing smoking reinforcement. IMPLICATIONS: This study contributes to our understanding of the relationship between DI and smoking reinforcement, via examining these processes in response to acute cardiorespiratory distress. Specifically, we found that smokers who are less tolerant of distress, as opposed to those who are more tolerant, evince a decrease in average puff volume, and consistently low puff-to-puff volume, in response to a biological stressor. These findings suggest that smokers high in DI alter smoking behavior following acute cardiorespiratory distress, perhaps to reduce overstimulation, yet also persist in smoking in a manner that suggests an inability to achieve satiation.

Frequency of cannabis use and cognitive vulnerabilities such as anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the fear of bodily sensations), have been independently linked with poor physical health, however the interplay between these health-mental health processes may compound poor physical health and functioning in cannabis users. Thus, the current study evaluated the direct and interactive effects of cannabis use frequency and anxiety sensitivity on physical health and functioning among cannabis-using veterans. Participants (N = 138) were post-9/11 United States veterans recruited from a Veterans Affairs hospital who reported cannabis use in the past six months. Cannabis use frequency in the past month and anxiety sensitivity were significantly negatively correlated with perceived overall physical health. There was a significant interaction between cannabis use frequency and anxiety sensitivity, such that more frequent cannabis use was associated with poorer overall health and role functioning due to health problems among veterans with higher anxiety sensitivity (but not lower). Findings suggest that anxiety sensitivity is a cognitive vulnerability linked to poor perceived physical health and impairment among frequent cannabis users and could be targeted, along with cannabis use, for health-promotion in cannabis users.

Fluctuations in ovarian hormones through a women’s menstrual cycle contribute to the rewarding value of cigarettes, however less is known about how the menstrual cycle phase influences emotional distress in female smokers. We examined between-group differences in emotional distress (negative affectivity, emotion dysregulation, distress intolerance) and hypothetical cigarettes purchasing behavior (i.e., tobacco demand) among female smokers at three different three menstrual stages. Women (n = 32) were non-treatment seeking daily smokers who were not on hormonal contraceptive and were categorized by current menstrual phase as follicular (estradiol-dominant; n = 10), early-mid luteal (progesterone-dominant; n = 15), and late-luteal (decreasing progesterone/estradiol; n = 7). Effect sizes are reported given the small sample which precludes reliance on traditional statistical significance testing. Results indicated that women in the late-luteal phase had reported higher levels of emotional distress, relative to women in the follicular and early-mid luteal phases including negative affectivity (d=0.69), emotion dysregulation (d=1.03), and distress intolerance (d=−0.86). Compared to women in the early-mid luteal and late-luteal phases, those in the follicular phase reported the highest hypothetical consumption of cigarettes when cigarettes were free (d=0.71) and made the largest maximum expenditures on hypothetical cigarettes (d=0.74). These findings offer preliminary evidence that the late-luteal menstrual phase may be characterized by emotional distress, and the follicular phase is associated with elevated tobacco demand. If these findings can be replicated in larger, well-controlled trials, this work could have important clinical implications for the development of effective emotion-focused cessation interventions for female smokers.

BACKGROUND: The subjective affective response to, and enjoyment of, physical activity are strong predictors of engagement in physical activity. Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of bodily sensations, is a cognitive factor that may inhibit the pleasurable affective experience of physical activity, possibly contributing to low levels of physical activity. The current study evaluated anxiety sensitivity in relation to PA enjoyment and affective experience before and after exercise in smokers. METHOD: Participants were low-active treatment-seeking smokers (n = 201) enrolled in a smoking cessation intervention. At baseline, participants completed self -report assessments of anxiety sensitivity, cigarette dependence, and physical activity enjoyment. State affect was also reported before and after a submaximal exercise test to index pre-exercise activity affect and affective response to exercise. RESULTS: Anxiety sensitivity was significantly negatively correlated with physical activity enjoyment, specifically lower enjoyable physical feelings of physical activity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly correlated with lower state mood and higher state anxiety prior to the submaximal exercise test, and higher anxiety immediately after the exercise test. Additionally, anxiety sensitivity predicted increased anxiety, but not lower mood, in response to the submaximal exercise test. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to document an association of anxiety sensitivity with affective determinants of physical activity behavior in smokers. Anxiety sensitivity was associated with lower physical activity enjoyment, higher negative affect prior to after exercise testing, and an anxiogenic response to exercise. Future work is needed to understand how the current findings generalize beyond smokers.

OBJECTIVE Scientific evidence implicates anxiety sensitivity (AS) as a risk factor for poor smoking cessation outcomes. Integrated smoking cessation programs that target AS may lead to improved smoking cessation outcomes, potentially through AS reduction. Yet, little work has evaluated the efficacy of integrated smoking cessation treatment on smoking abstinence. The present study prospectively examined treatment effects of a novel AS reduction-smoking cessation intervention relative to a standard smoking cessation intervention on smoking abstinence. METHOD Participants (N = 529; 45.9% male; Mage = 38.23, SD = 13.56) included treatment-seeking smokers who received either a 4-session integrated anxiety-reduction and smoking cessation intervention (Smoking Treatment and Anxiety Management Program; [STAMP]) or a 4-session standard smoking cessation program (SCP). The primary aims focused on examining the effects of STAMP on (a) AS reduction during treatment, (b) early and late smoking point prevalence abstinence, and (c) the mechanistic function of AS reduction on treatment effects across early and late smoking abstinence. RESULTS Results indicated a significantly greater decline in AS in STAMP relative to SCP (B = -.72, p < .001). Treatment condition did not significantly directly predict early or late abstinence. However, the effect of STAMP on early abstinence was significantly mediated by reductions in AS (indirect = .16, 95% CI [.02, .40]). CONCLUSIONS Findings provide evidence for the efficacy of a novel, integrated anxiety and smoking cessation treatment to reduce AS. Moreover, the meditation pathway from STAMP to early abstinence through reductions in AS suggest that AS is a clinically important mechanism of change for smoking cessation treatment and research. (PsycINFO Database Record

The Smoking and Weight Eating Episodes Test (SWEET; Adams et al. 2011) is a self-report measure designed to assess multiple reasons why and when smokers use cigarettes for appetite, weight, and shape management, that was initially developed and validated in young female smokers. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the SWEET measure among both male and female daily cigarette smokers. Participants (n = 577; Mage = 44.42; SD = 13.80; 52.7% female) were daily smokers recruited through Qualtrics Online Sample for an anonymous study on smoking and health. On average, participants reported smoking for 25.7 years (SD = 14.35), smoked 17.0 cigarettes per day (SD = 8.38), and had moderate levels of tobacco dependence. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the initial factor structure found in the original SWEET measure suggesting a four-factor structure fit the data well, but not a one-factor structure. Factors included using cigarettes for appetite suppression, using cigarettes to prevent overeating, smoking to cope with body dissatisfaction, and using cigarettes to cope with appetite-related withdrawal symptoms. Tests of measurement invariance revealed no significant differences when evaluating SWEET scores by participant sex. The SWEET factor scores evidenced internal consistency, known groups validity, convergent validity with related constructs (compensatory eating behaviors, tobacco dependence) and cessation-relevant variables (smoking abstinence expectancies, prior withdrawal symptoms), and discriminant validity with physical activity and sedentary behavior. The present study provides evidence in support of the validity and reliability of scores on the SWEET as a multidimensional measure of smoking for appetite, weight, and body-related concerns in male and female daily cigarette smokers.

Cannabis use rates continue to rise in the United States and currently cannabis is among the most widely used substances in the world. Cannabis use is associated with several mental health problems, low educational attainment, low income, and underemployment. The current study explored the tendency to experience negative affect (negative affectivity) as a factor accounting for the association between perceived distress tolerance and problems related to the use of cannabis. Participants included 203 urban adult daily cannabis users (29.2% female, M= 37.7 years, 63% African American). Results indicated that there was a significant indirect effect of distress tolerance via negative affectivity in terms of cannabis use problems (b=−0.58, 95%CI [−1.14, −0.21]), cannabis withdrawal (b=−0.65, 95%CI [−1.36, −0.21]), self-efficacy for quitting (b=−0.83, 95%CI [−1.85, −0.22]), and perceived barriers for cannabis cessation (b=−0.71, 95%CI [−1.51, −0.24]). The present data provide novel empirical evidence suggesting negative affectivity may help explain the relation between perceived distress tolerance and an array of clinically significant cannabis use processes. Intervention programming for daily cannabis users may benefit from targeting negative affectivity to facilitate change in cannabis use processes among users who tend to perceive that they are less capable of tolerating distress.

Background Migraine is a neurological disease involving recurrent attacks of moderate-to-severe and disabling head pain. Worsening of pain with routine physical activity during attacks is a principal migraine symptom; however, the frequency, individual consistency, and correlates of this symptom are unknown. Given the potential of this symptom to undermine participation in daily physical activity, an effective migraine prevention strategy, further research is warranted. This study is the first to prospectively evaluate (a) frequency and individual consistency of physical activity-related pain worsening during migraine attacks, and (b) potential correlates, including other migraine symptoms, anthropometric characteristics, psychological symptoms, and daily physical activity. Methods Participants were women (n = 132) aged 18–50 years with neurologist-confirmed migraine and overweight/obesity seeking weight loss treatment in the Women’s Health and Migraine trial. At baseline, participants used a smartphone diary to record migraine attack occurrence, severity, and symptoms for 28 days. Participants also completed questionnaires and 7 days of objective physical activity monitoring before and after diary completion, respectively. Patterning of the effect of physical activity on pain was summarized within-subject by calculating the proportion (%) of attacks in which physical activity worsened, improved, or had no effect on pain. Results Participants reported 5.5 ± 2.8 (mean ± standard deviation) migraine attacks over 28 days. The intraclass correlation (coefficient = 0.71) indicated high consistency in participants’ reports of activity-related pain worsening or not. On average, activity worsened pain in 34.8 ± 35.6% of attacks, had no effect on pain in 61.8 ± 34.6% of attacks and improved pain in 3.4 ± 12.7% of attacks. Few participants (9.8%) reported activity-related pain worsening in all attacks. A higher percentage of attacks where physical activity worsened pain demonstrated small-sized correlations with more severe nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, and allodynia (r = 0.18 – 0.22, p Conclusions There is large variability in the effect of physical activity on pain during migraine attacks that can be accounted for by individual differences. For a minority of participants, physical activity consistently contributed to pain worsening. More frequent physical activity-related pain worsening was related to greater severity of other migraine symptoms and pain sensitivity, which supports the validity of this diagnostic feature. Study protocol ClinicalTrials.govIdentifier: NCT01197196

Background The present research examines anticipated consequences of ceasing or reducing marijuana use with initial development and psychometric validation of a measure of marijuana cessation expectancies. Methods The 46-item Marijuana Cessation Expectancies Questionnaire (MCEQ) was initially developed from the content validity analysis of free responses about expected outcomes of stopping and decreasing marijuana use generated by 94 participants. The closed-ended MCEQ was subsequently administered to 151 non-treatment seeking regular marijuana users (used on M = 64.7% of the prior 60 days, SD = 25.1%; Mage = 21.4, SD = 3.96; 38.4% female). Results Exploratory factor analyses identified six MCEQ factors that accounted for 61% of variance, which were related to expected improvement in: 1) performance/motivation, 2) problems with authority, and 3) interpersonal functioning, and expected worsening of 4) mood states and 5) fun experiences, and 6) changes in appetite/weight from cessation/reduction of marijuana use. Internal consistency of full scale items was good (α = 0.86) and moderate to high for all factors (α’s = 0.60–0.89). The MCEQ items showed good concurrent validity with key measures and incremental associations with change indices (prior history of cessation/reduction attempt, benefits of reduction, importance of change), beyond the effects of marijuana use expectancies. Conclusions These data provide initial support for the MCEQ and suggest it is closely linked to reduction/cessation decisions in marijuana users. MCEQ may be used clinically to enhance existing behavioral treatments and motivational interventions for problem marijuana use.

Drug demand, or relative value, can be assessed via analysis of behavioral economic purchase task performance. Five demand indices are typically obtained from drug purchase tasks.The goal of this research was to determine whether metrics of marijuana reinforcement from a marijuana purchase task (MPT) exhibit a latent factor structure that efficiently characterizes marijuana demand.Participants were regular marijuana users (n = 99; 37.4% female, 71.5% marijuana use days [5 days/week], 15.2% cannabis dependent) who completed study assessments, including the MPT, during a baseline session. Principal component analysis was used to examine the latent structure underlying MPT indices. Concurrent validity was assessed via examination of relationships between latent factors and marijuana use, past quit attempts, and marijuana expectancies.A two-factor solution was confirmed as the best fitting structure, accounting for 88.5% of the overall variance. Factor 1 (65.8% variance) reflected "Persistence," indicating sensitivity to escalating marijuana price, which comprised four MPT indices (elasticity, OConsistent with research on alcohol and cigarette purchase tasks, the MPT can be characterized with a latent two-factor structure. Thus, demand for marijuana appears to encompass distinct dimensions of price sensitivity and volumetric consumption, with differential relations to other aspects of marijuana motivation.

Background Little is known about panic attacks and puffing topography, a behavioral index of the value of smoking reinforcement. This study examined smoking style during the course of smoking of a single cigarette among adult daily smokers with and without a history of panic attacks. Method Participants (n = 124, Mage = 43.9, SD = 9.7; 44.4% female) were non-treatment seeking daily smokers. Lifetime panic attack history was assessed via diagnostic assessment; 28.2% (n = 35) of the sample had a panic attack history. Participants smoked one cigarette during an ad libitum smoking trial. Puff volume, duration, and inter-puff interval were measured using the Clinical Research Support System (CReSS) pocket device. Results Regression analyses revealed that panic attack status was not associated with significant differences in average puff volume, duration, or inter-puff interval. Multi-level modeling was used to examine puffing trajectories. Puff-level data revealed that there was a significant quadratic time x panic effect for puff volume and duration. Those with a panic attack history demonstrated relatively sustained levels of both puff volume and duration over time, whereas those without a history of panic attacks demonstrated an increase followed by a decrease in volume and duration over time. These effects were not accounted for by the presence of general psychopathology. Discussion Smokers with a panic attack history demonstrate more persistent efforts to self-regulate the delivery of nicotine, and thus may be at risk for continued smoking and dependence. Tailored treatment may be needed to address unique vulnerabilities among this group.

Smokers report weight and appetite control as motivators to smoking continuance. These concerns are particularly salient for smokers who use cigarettes to suppress appetite and manage weight. Dieting may influence weight, shape, and appetite-related smoking motivation; however, this has not yet been examined. This study tested associations between five diet types and smoking motivation to control weight, shape, and appetite among adult daily cigarette smokers (N = 550). A multivariate analysis was used to test the incremental association between diet types and Smoking-Related Weight and Eating Episodes Test (SWEET) subscales, adjusting for age, body mass index, sex, and cigarette dependence. Smokers who diet (n = 83, 15.1%) reported higher scores on all SWEET subscales compared to smokers not on a diet. Low-calorie dieting was associated with greater smoking motivation to cope with body dissatisfaction, and low-sugar dieting was associated with greater motivation for smoking to prevent withdrawal-related appetite increases. Treatment implications for smoking cessation are discussed.

Cannabis vaporization is a prevailing mode of administration among medical users for symptom relief. Limited research to date has considered factors that contribute to vaporization in medical users, although initial evidence suggests that vaporization may provide unique therapeutic advantages relative to other modes. This study aimed to provide an in-depth qualitative examination of vaping behavior and use preferences among medical cannabis users. Qualitative interviews were conducted with Rhode Island medical cannabis registration card holders (n = 25). Interviews followed a semistructured agenda and were audio-recorded and transcribed for applied thematic analysis. Key vaporization themes were summarized. Several themes emerged related to (a) medication dosing and administration (flexible timing of medication delivery; ease when traveling; type of device/cannabis formulation), (b) physical health advantages of vaping (general health benefits; better for medical condition; promoting tobacco cessation), (c) general advantages of vaping (portability, concealability, efficiency), and (d) disadvantages (weaker medication delivery; device cost; technology-use barriers). Various factors contribute to cannabis vaporization among medical users that are both general and medical-specific. Certain aspects of vaping may also interfere with effective delivery of cannabis, including technology aspects and device cost. These findings highlight the heterogeneity in vaporization behavior. Future work is needed to further identify factors that contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis and its modalities of use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this exploratory study was to assess the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and emotional disorders, migraine characteristics, and migraine-related fear and avoidance behaviors in women with probable migraine. BACKGROUND Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most frequent comorbid psychiatric conditions in migraine, particularly in women; however, the underlying reasons for these comorbidities are uncertain. Anxiety sensitivity, the tendency to catastrophically appraise anxiety and bodily sensations in terms of their physical, social, or cognitive consequences, is a psychological factor that may contribute to the comorbidity of anxiety and depressive disorders and migraine. It was hypothesized that anxiety sensitivity would be associated with greater migraine severity and psychiatric symptoms. METHOD Participants were women (n = 100) who screened positive for migraine on the validated IDMigraine Screener participated in an anonymous single-session online survey-based study on migraine. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 total and subscales scores were used to assess anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed with the brief Patient Health Questionnaire. RESULTS On average, anxiety sensitivity was clinically elevated (mean ± SD: 24.0 ± 15.2). Anxiety sensitivity cognitive and social concerns were most strongly correlated with severity of anxiety (r's = .38-.46) and depressive symptoms (r = .35-.39, P's

Problem There is a well-evidenced sex-disparity in physical activity (PA), such that females are significantly less active than males. Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations, is a cognitive-affective vulnerability associated with increased negative affect during PA and lower levels of PA. The current study examined anxiety sensitivity as a potential sex-specific, psychological factor related to sex differences in past-week PA behavior in daily cigarette smokers. Method Participants (n = 527; 53.3% female) completed an anonymous online survey on emotion and health. Anxiety sensitivity was assessed with the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3. Past-week, self-reported PA minutes were measured across four intensities (e.g., walking, moderate, vigorous, and total PA) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short. Four zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were constructed to test the main and interactive effects of sex and anxiety sensitivity on PA outcomes. Results Females reported significantly fewer past-week PA minutes relative to males across all domains. At higher levels of anxiety sensitivity, males reported significantly fewer total PA minutes; whereas, total PA levels in females were not dependent on anxiety sensitivity level. Additionally, females with elevated anxiety sensitivity reported significantly more past-week walking minutes relative to females with low anxiety sensitivity, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in males. Conclusion This is the first study to our knowledge to examine sex differences in anxiety sensitivity and PA, at varying PA intensities, among smokers. These data have the potential to inform sex-specific models of anxiety, PA, and smoking.

Respiratory problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the signature health consequences associated with the September 11, 2001 (9/11), World Trade Center disaster and frequently co-occur. The reasons for this comorbidity, however, remain unknown. Anxiety sensitivity is a transdiagnostic trait that is associated with both PTSD and respiratory symptoms. The present study explored whether anxiety sensitivity could explain the experience of respiratory symptoms in trauma-exposed smokers with PTSD symptoms. Participants (N = 135; Mage = 49.18 years, SD = 10.01) were 9/11-exposed daily smokers. Cross-sectional self-report measures were used to assess PTSD symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and respiratory symptoms. After controlling for covariates and PTSD symptoms, anxiety sensitivity accounted for significant additional variance in respiratory symptoms (ΔR2 = .04 to .08). This effect was specific to the somatic concerns dimension (β = .29, p = .020); somatic concerns contributed significantly to accounting for the overlap between PTSD and respiratory symptoms, b = 0.03, 95% CI [0.01, 0.07]. These findings suggest that the somatic dimension of anxiety sensitivity is important in understanding respiratory symptoms in individuals with PTSD symptoms. These findings also suggest that it may be critical to address anxiety sensitivity when treating patients with comorbid respiratory problems and PTSD.

Introduction The aim of the current study was to evaluate smoking cessation outcome, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and craving between smokers with (n = 47; 46.8% male, Mage = 40.0 years, SD = 11.7) and without (n = 45; 51.1% male, Mage = 37.5 years, SD = 11.1) asthma during a self-guided quit attempt. Methods After completing a baseline assessment visit, participants attended study sessions on their scheduled quit day as well as follow-up visits (3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days) after their quit day. Results Smokers with and without asthma did not differ in abstinence rates, smoking lapse, and rate of change in urge to smoke to reduce negative affect. However, smokers with asthma demonstrated a slower rate of decline in nicotine withdrawal symptoms and craving over time. Conclusions These findings suggest that smokers with asthma may benefit from specialized smoking cessation treatments to address prolonged withdrawal symptoms and craving.

Distress intolerance is a key vulnerability factor implicated in the maintenance and relapse of cigarette smoking. Yet, past work has not examined changes in these processes during smoking cessation treatment or their relation to smoking cessation outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of two smoking cessation interventions on changes in self-report and behavioral distress intolerance indices during treatment, and whether these changes are associated with smoking cessation outcomes. Treatment-seeking smokers (N = 384) were randomly assigned to one of two 4-session smoking cessation treatment programs: Standard Cessation Program (SCP) or Smoking Treatment and Anxiety Management Program (STAMP). Quit dates were scheduled to coincide with the final treatment session. Physical domains of distress intolerance were assessed at baseline and at each weekly session, via the Discomfort Intolerance Scale (DIS; higher scores indicate more intolerance for discomfort) and Breath Holding Duration Task (shorter durations indicate more intolerance for respiratory distress). The STAMP condition produced a greater rate of reduction in DIS scores than did the SCP condition. Changes in DIS scores during treatment mediated the effect of STAMP treatment on 7-day point prevalence abstinence at Month 3 post-quit attempt. There were no treatment conditions differences in changes in Breath-Holding duration. Data suggest self-reported distress intolerance is malleable in the context of stress sensitivity reduction treatment, but not standard smoking cessation treatment, and such reductions may result in promotion of smoking abstinence.