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The Differential Assessment of State–Trait Anxiety and Depression in a Clinically Anxious Sample

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Abstract

Empirical investigation into anxiety and depression has led some researchers to question the conceptual distinctness of these constructs. N. S. Endler, B. J. Cox, J. D. A. Parker, and R. M. Bagby (1992) provided empirical evidence that state and trait anxiety (using the Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scales; N. S. Endler, J. M. Edwards, and R. Vitelli, 1991) may be differentiated from depression (using the Beck Depression Inventory; A. T. Beck, 1978) in a student sample. The present study extended this research by employing a different sample, a clinical sample of panic disorder patients (N = 189). Further support for the conceptual distinctness of anxiety and depression is presented herein. The concept of a general distress factor that encompasses both constructs is also discussed.

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Correspondence to Nancy L. Kocovski.

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Kocovski, N.L., Endler, N.S., Cox, B.J. et al. The Differential Assessment of State–Trait Anxiety and Depression in a Clinically Anxious Sample. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 26, 165–172 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBA.0000022108.20386.c9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBA.0000022108.20386.c9

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