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.