Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders | 2021
Evaluating anxiety sensitivity as a moderator of misophonia and dimensions of aggression
Abstract
Abstract Misophonia is characterized by increased physiological and emotional reactivity to particular sounds (e.g., chewing), which has been associated with impulsive and aggressive behaviors. To better understand the expression of misophonia, the current study investigated the moderating role of anxiety sensitivity (AS) in the relation between misophonia and facets of aggression (i.e., anger, hostility, verbal aggression, and physical aggression). Participants (N\xa0=\xa0470; Mage\xa0=\xa018.68 years; 74.0% female) included college students who endorsed misophonia symptoms and completed online self-report questionnaires. Four regression analyses were conducted to examine the interaction between misophonia symptoms and AS on each aggression facet. Results revealed that significant variance was accounted for in each facet of aggression, with the association between misophonia and anger, hostility, and verbal aggression (respectively) strengthening as increased. This study provides additional support for the association between misophonia and aggressive behavioral tendencies, suggesting AS may operate as a pivotal factor in the expression of anger and aggressive responses in misophonia. These findings implicate AS a potential treatment target that could enhance outcomes for patients struggling with misophonia.