Mediating role of metacognitive beliefs and anxiety sensitivity on the relationship between nauroticism with comorbidity of anxiety and depression

Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of metacognitive beliefs and anxiety sensitivity on the relationship between neuroticism with anxiety and depression comorbidity.
Method of the present study was correlational and the statistical population included men and women living in Tehran. A total of 358 volunteers (178 men, 180 women) from Tehran general population participated in this study. All participants were asked to complete NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Metacognitive Questionnaire (MCQ), Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (ASI), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS).
The results of correlation analysis showed a significant positive association among neuroticism, metacognitive beliefs and anxiety sensitivity with anxiety and depression comorbidity. The results of path analysis also revealed that both metacognitive beliefs and anxiety sensitivity mediated the association of neuroticism with anxiety and depression comorbidity.
Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that attention must be paid to the role of anxiety and depression comorbidity as well as neuroticism to the development, perpetuation, and treatment of anxiety/depressive disorders.