Retrospectives memories of negative life events and cardiophobia: testing the hypothesis of mediation of hostility.

Introduction: Retrospective memories of stressful events during childhood have been related empirically with a wide range of somatization symptoms in adulthood. Objective and Aim: The Objective of the present study was to clarify the possible link between memories of childhood stressful events and adult heart focused anxiety. Method: A community sample of 300 individuals (100 men – 200 women, mean age 33, SD = 12,5 ranged 18–75), completed the Greek version of the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire and the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire, along with a questionnaire regarding retrospective memories of stressful experiences during childhood. Results: Childhood stressful memories were associated with higher levels of both heart focused anxiety and hostility (r=.005). Elevated levels of cardiac anxiety were also correlated with a hostile attitude (r≤.001) Regression models revealed that criticism of others, acting-out hostility, guilt and paranoid hostility fully mediated the link between stressful memories and heart focused anxiety for women (β=.416, β=. 379, β= 529 β=.323, p=<.004), after adjustments. Conclusion: Screening for hostile attitudes may provide information for anxiety sensitivity and somatization males and females that could allow health care providers to tailor treatment more effectively.