Anxiety Sensitivity, Experiential Avoidance, and Mindfulness Among Younger and Older Adults
Colin T. Mahoney, Daniel L. Segal, Frederick L. Coolidge
The International Journal of Aging and Human Development October 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1177/0091415015621309 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 511 |
| Population | Younger adult students (N=426, mean age 20.1 years) and community-dwelling older adults (N=85, mean age 71.8 years) |
| Measures | Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Anxiety Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Younger adults reported significantly higher anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance, whereas older adults reported significantly higher trait mindfulness. Anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance were associated with each other and with anxiety-related symptoms, while trait mindfulness was inversely related to anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and trait and state anxiety. The authors suggest these three factors are significant correlates of anxiety-related symptoms in both younger and older adults. |
Abstract
In this cross-sectional study, we examined age-related differences in anxiety sensitivity (AS), experiential avoidance (EA), and mindfulness among younger adult students ( N = 426; M age = 20.1 years) and community-dwelling older adults ( N = 85; M age = 71.8 years). Participants anonymously completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Anxiety Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Independent t tests indicated that younger adults reported significantly higher levels of AS and EA, whereas older adults reported significantly higher levels of trait mindfulness. Correlational analyses demonstrated that AS and EA were significantly associated with each other and with anxiety-related symptoms. However, trait mindfulness was significantly inversely related to AS, EA, and to trait and state anxiety. To date, these three factors have yet to be examined simultaneously within the context of age differences, and the present study illuminates these differences as well as their relationships. AS, EA, and low mindfulness appear to be significant correlates for anxiety-related symptoms in younger and older adults.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing the Adverse Effects of Childhood Stress and Trauma Children February 28, 2017
- The combined role of metacognition and mindfulness in social anxiety symptoms: A path model Psihologija August 29, 2023
- Mindfulness and quality of life across age groups in adult primary care patients in a nonmetropolitan area of Germany Discover Psychology July 17, 2026
- Dispositional mindfulness and anxiety: how do they relate to aging and word retrieval? Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition May 5, 2025
- Exploring Factors Affecting Psychological Flexibility After Psychedelic Experiences. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs April 25, 2025
and 7 more in the library
Cites 9
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for older adults with worry symptoms and co-occurring cognitive dysfunction. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry February 18, 2014
- Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Effects on Anxiety and Stress Reactivity The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry March 13, 2013
and 4 more in the library