Acceptance mediates the relationship between tinnitus-related cognitions and anxiety sensitivity

Purpose: Negative cognitions related to tinnitus sensation have been previously shown to affect the level of emotional distress. Anxiety sensitivity is another psychological factor that influences individuals to more closely monitor their own bodily sensations, resulting in increased negative cognitions and negative emotional responses among tinnitus patients. However, increasing acceptance of tinnitus sensation may attenuate emotional distress. The goal of this research was to investigate the relationship between negative tinnitus-related cognitions, acceptance, and anxiety sensitivity. Method: Two hundred sixty-seven participants completed online measures of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (Newman, Jacobson, & Spitzer, 1996), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (Hayes, Follette, & Linehan, 2004), and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index–3 (Taylor et al., 2007). Results: Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that acceptance fully mediated the relationship between negative tinnitus-related cognitions and anxiety sensitivity. Conclusions: On the basis of these results, it is suggested that practitioners improve acceptance of tinnitus sensation, duration, and intensity. More research is warranted on the clinical techniques to improve acceptance.