Exploring anxiety-related beliefs in introversion and neuroticism

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that neuroticism and introversion are related to anxiety disorders, as well as the dysfunctional beliefs that underly anxiety disorders. We examined the association between anxiety sensitivity (AS), intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and metacognitions about worry with neuroticism and introversion in two samples. The first sample was recruited online from across Canada (N = 624), while the second sample was university students (N = 1020). In both studies, participants completed online measures of demographic characteristics, the anxiety-related beliefs, and personality traits. Hierarchal multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine which beliefs had unique associations with neuroticism and introversion. Across both samples, when controlling for demographic variables and introversion, both prospective and inhibitory IU, as well as negative metacognitive beliefs about worry, were associated with neuroticism. Further, across both samples, when controlling for demographic variables and neuroticism, AS social concerns and inhibitory IU were associated with introversion. Surprisingly, negative metacognitive beliefs about worry and prospective IU were negatively associated with introversion. Clinical implications and future directions will be discussed.