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Gender Differences in Patients with Panic Disorder: Evaluating Cognitive Mediation of Phobic Avoidance

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Abstract

Epidemiologic reports have consistently found that females are at greater risk for the development of panic disorder, in particular, when it is accompanied by agoraphobia. Although gender appears to be a well-established risk factor for the development of phobic avoidance, the mechanisms that account for this increased risk have yet to be delineated. Often, gender differences in phobic avoidance are speculated to arise from differences in courage (e.g., men are expected to be brave and endure fear-provoking situations). Our study evaluated this popular but unsubstantiated theory and advanced another hypothesis: Differences in panic- and arousal-related cognitions may account for gender differences in phobic avoidance. Male (n = 27) and female (n = 61) patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia were evaluated. Data did not support gender differences in courage; nor were these indices related to phobic avoidance. In contrast, there were significant gender differences in several cognitive domains. Moreover, anxiety sensitivity and panic-related appraisals mediated gender differences in phobic avoidance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814-4799

    Norman B. Schmidt

  2. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814-4799

    Margaret Koselka

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Schmidt, N.B., Koselka, M. Gender Differences in Patients with Panic Disorder: Evaluating Cognitive Mediation of Phobic Avoidance. Cognitive Therapy and Research 24, 533–550 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005562011960

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