ABSTRACT

Obesity and chronic pain frequently co-occur, and this co-occurrence can have potential negative consequences, particularly as it relates to mental health. As such, there is a need to understand potential risk factors for poor mental health among this co-morbid population. Thus, the current study examined the predictive role of anxiety sensitivity (and its sub-facets) on anxiety and depressive symptoms among adults (82.5% female, M_age = 40.2 years, SD = 10.92) with obesity and chronic pain. Results revealed that greater levels of anxiety sensitivity were associated with greater levels of both anxiety and depressive symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. Post hoc analyses also indicated that specific sub-facets of anxiety sensitivity (cognitive and social concerns) were significant predictors of the criterion variables. The current study highlights the potential clinical utility in targeting anxiety sensitivity among individuals with co-occurring obesity and chronic pain in the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

摘要

肥胖和慢性疼痛经常同时发生，这种同时发生可能会产生潜在的负面后果，特别是与心理健康有关。因此，有必要了解这些共病人群心理健康状况不佳的潜在危险因素。因此，本研究探讨了焦虑敏感性（及其子方面）对成年人焦虑和抑郁症状的预测作用（82.5% 女性，M_年龄 =  40.2 岁，SD = 10.92) 伴有肥胖和慢性疼痛。结果显示，较高水平的焦虑敏感性与较高水平的焦虑和抑郁症状相关，且效应大小为中等到大。事后分析还表明，焦虑敏感性的特定子方面（认知和社会问题）是标准变量的重要预测因素。目前的研究强调了针对同时发生肥胖和慢性疼痛的个体的焦虑敏感性在治疗焦虑和抑郁症状方面的潜在临床效用。