The Role of Information Processing as an Underlying Mechanism in the Experience of Anxiety Reactivity and Anxiety Perseveration, Two Dissociable Dimensions of Trait Anxiety
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Purpose
While long considered a unitary dimension, research has moved towards a multidimensional understanding of trait anxiety, and has identified two dissociable dimensions of trait anxiety: anxiety reactivity and anxiety perseveration. Despite the consolidation of this understanding over the past decade, the mechanisms underlying these two dimensions are not well established. The present study examined the novel role of information processing in the experience of anxiety reactivity and perseveration, specifically, how enhanced processing of situational information influences reactivity, and how enhanced processing of implicational information influences perseveration.
Method
Undergraduate university students ( N = 142) were exposed to an interview-based stressor. As participants approached this stressor, they were provided with information reflecting one of the two content categories, intended to encourage a situational or implicational processing mode. Anxiety reactivity and anxiety perseveration were measured by assessing changes in state anxiety (measured using a single item visual analogue state anxiety measure) in the lead up and wake of this stressor.
Results
Mixed-design ANOVAs did not reveal a significant relationship between enhanced processing of situational information and anxiety reactivity, nor between enhanced processing of implicational information and anxiety perseveration. An experimental manipulation involving valence revealed that receiving positive information reduced the intensity of state anxiety elevations in the aftermath of the information processing task.
Conclusions
Findings are discussed with reference to limitations and future extensions that could investigate the potential role of cognitive biases in this proposed relationship between enhanced information processing and anxiety reactivity and perseveration.
