The Role of Distress Tolerance as a Potential Mechanism Between Anxiety Sensitivity and Gut-Specific Anxiety.

BACKGROUND:The link between anxiety/fear and gut dysfunction has been robustly documented in both physical and mental health literatures. The current study explored distress tolerance as a potential mechanism in the relation between anxiety sensitivity and gut-specific anxiety. METHOD:A cross-sectional sample of 828 adults completed measures of distress tolerance, gut-specific anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine variable associations, including potential mediating factors. RESULTS:The results demonstrated a bidirectional relation between anxiety sensitivity and gut-specific anxiety (ß = 0.23, p < 0.001; ß = 0.22, p < 0.001). Findings suggest distress tolerance is a significant mediator that may partially explain the relation between gut-specific anxiety and anxiety sensitivity more broadly (ß = 0.11, CI [0.07-0.14]). Mediation results were consistent when individual subscales of distress tolerance or anxiety sensitivity were incorporated. CONCLUSION:The outcome of the present study merits additional examination of the psychosomatic nature of distress tolerance as a potential clinical target for individuals with both anxiety and gut-related disorders.