Ethnic Group Differences in Affective, Behavioral, and Cognitive Markers of Anxiety

Ethnic group differences in affective, behavioral, and cognitive measures of anxiety were exam-ined to better characterize the unique triggers and modes of anxious responding across differ-ent groups. Using an ethnically diverse sample (N = 112; 39 African Americans, 34 Asian Americans, and 39 European Americans), the study examined differences in anxious respond-ing following three anxiety provocations (physical, social interpersonal, and social perfor-mance), each hypothesized to be a primary anxiety trigger for one of the groups. African Americans and European Americans demonstrated greater behavioral avoidance during a phys-ical provocation designed to elicit shortness of breath sensations relative to Asian Americans. Asian Americans reported a higher number of anxious cognitions than African Americans dur-ing a social provocation designed to trigger performance concerns. These findings suggest eth-nicity should be carefully considered when assessing the predominant triggers of anxiety and modes of anxious responding