(PS11-B36) Anxiety Sensitivity Mediates Relationship Between Sexual Orientation and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Members of the LGBTQ+ community are often exposed to stressful and traumatic experiences and minority stress. In addition, they may be at greater risk of sexual abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than cisgender heterosexual individuals. Research has only recently begun to examine risk factors in this vulnerable population. Anxiety sensitivity (AS), defined as the fear of sensations associated with anxious arousal, is a well-established risk factor for PTSD and other affective disorders that has been shown to vary based on demographic differences (e.g., gender). However, research has not investigated sexual orientation differences in AS or the implications of these differences for PTSD. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate differences in AS and its dimensions based on sexual orientation and to examine the role of anxiety sensitivity in the relationship between sexual orientation and PTSD symptoms. Participants (N = 110) were cisgender, primarily female (66.4%) and Caucasian (82.7%) sexual assault survivors recruited using Qualtrics Market Research. 43.6% of the sample identified as LGBTQ+. Participants completed a battery of online questionnaires including anxiety sensitivity (ASI-3) and PTSD symptoms (PCL-5). The relationship between sexual orientation, AS, and PTSD was evaluated using a series of independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and an SPSS PROCESS mediation model. Results indicate significant differences in PTSD symptoms between heterosexual and non-heterosexual participants (t = -2.91, p = .004). Specifically, bisexual participants endorsed greater PTSD symptoms than heterosexual participants, F(2,107) = 3.59, p = .031. Additionally, results indicate significant differences in total AS (t = -2.90, p = .005), AS cognitive concerns (t = -2.76, p = .008), and AS social concerns (t = -3.56, p = .001) between heterosexual and non-heterosexual participants. Specifically, results indicated that homosexual participants exhibited significantly higher levels of AS cognitive concerns than heterosexual participants [F(2,107) = 3.86, p = .024] and that bisexual participants exhibited significantly higher levels of AS social concerns than heterosexual participants [F(2,107) = 5.23, p = .007]. Finally, results from mediation analyses indicate that AS mediates the relationship between sexual orientation and PTSD (indirect effect: b = .37, 95%CI [.12, .61]). The current study demonstrates elevated levels of both AS and PTSD symptoms among LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, these results provide evidence for the role of AS in the relationship between sexual orientation and PTSD. Because AS is malleable, it may be a promising intervention target in LGBTQ+ populations. Future research should evaluate the effect of AS interventions on PTSD symptoms in these populations.