A Longitudinal Study of Emotional Distress Intolerance and Psychopathology Following Exposure to a Potentially Traumatic Event in a Community Sample

This study focused on better understanding the association between anxiety sensitivity (AS), distress tolerance (DT), and psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress, depression, panic and suicidality, in the aftermath of a potentially traumatizing event. A community-based sample of 151 adults exposed to the Mount Carmel Forest Fire Disaster were assessed within 30-days of exposure (T1) and then at 3- (T2) and 6-month (T3) follow-up intervals. At T1, AS, DT, and psychopathology symptoms loaded on a single common latent factor reflecting Emotional Avoidance and Distress; whereas by T2 AS-DT and psychopathology symptoms diverged into distinct latent variables—Emotional Distress Intolerance and Distress Post-Trauma, respectively. Levels of Emotional Distress and Avoidance at T1 predicted levels of Emotional Distress Intolerance as well as Distress Post-Trauma at T2. Finally, levels of Emotional Intolerance at T2 predicted levels of Distress Post-Trauma at T3 above and beyond the strong stability effects of Distress Post-Trauma over time. Findings are discussed with respect to their theoretical and clinical implications for understanding and promoting resilience to, and recovery following, exposure to potentially traumatic events.