TY - JOUR
T1 - Measuring experiential avoidance
T2 - A preliminary test of a working model
AU - Hayes, Steven C.
AU - Strosahl, Kirk
AU - Wilson, Kelly G.
AU - Bissett, Richard T.
AU - Pistorello, Jacqueline
AU - Toarmino, Dosheen
AU - Polusny, Melissa A.
AU - Dykstra, Thane A.
AU - Batten, Sonja V.
AU - Bergan, John
AU - Stewart, Sherry H.
AU - Zvolensky, Michael J.
AU - Eifert, Georg H.
AU - Bond, Frank W.
AU - Forsyth, John P.
AU - Karekla, Maria
AU - Mccurry, Susan M.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - The present study describes the development of a short, general measure of experiential avoidance, based on a specific theoretical approach to this process. A theoretically driven iterative exploratory analysis using structural equation modeling on data from a clinical sample yielded a single factor comprising 9 items. A fully confirmatory factor analysis upheld this same 9-item factor in an independent clinical sample. The operational characteristics of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ) were then examined in 8 additional samples. All totaled, over 2,400 participants were studied. As expected, higher levels of experiential avoidance were associated with higher levels of general psychopathology, depression, anxiety, a variety of specific fears, trauma, and a lower quality of life. The AAQ related to more specific measures of avoidant coping and to self-deceptive positivity, but the relation to psychopathology could not be fully accounted for by these alternative measures. The data provide some initial support for the model of experiential avoidance based on Relational Frame Theory that is incorporated into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and provides researchers with a preliminary measure for use in population-based studies on experiential avoidance.
AB - The present study describes the development of a short, general measure of experiential avoidance, based on a specific theoretical approach to this process. A theoretically driven iterative exploratory analysis using structural equation modeling on data from a clinical sample yielded a single factor comprising 9 items. A fully confirmatory factor analysis upheld this same 9-item factor in an independent clinical sample. The operational characteristics of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ) were then examined in 8 additional samples. All totaled, over 2,400 participants were studied. As expected, higher levels of experiential avoidance were associated with higher levels of general psychopathology, depression, anxiety, a variety of specific fears, trauma, and a lower quality of life. The AAQ related to more specific measures of avoidant coping and to self-deceptive positivity, but the relation to psychopathology could not be fully accounted for by these alternative measures. The data provide some initial support for the model of experiential avoidance based on Relational Frame Theory that is incorporated into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and provides researchers with a preliminary measure for use in population-based studies on experiential avoidance.
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U2 - 10.1007/BF03395492
DO - 10.1007/BF03395492
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:11144355427
SN - 0033-2933
VL - 54
SP - 553
EP - 578
JO - Psychological Record
JF - Psychological Record
IS - 4
ER -