Mick Hunter
Objective: Experiential avoidance (EA), the avoidance of uncomfortable cognitions and emotions, is a key factor in the onset and/or maintenance of a variety of maladaptive behaviors and psychopathology. Furthermore, EA has been recognized as a factor in clients' engagement in therapy in most therapy approaches. However, the measurement of EA is complicated by the diversity of its manifestations across a range of psychopathologies. The purpose of this study was to characterize EA as a dimensional or multidimensional construct as it applies to psychosis and to evaluate its sensitivity to change during therapy.
Methods: In this study, 82 participants referred to one of four mental health services for psychological therapy completed questionnaires measuring EA, thought control and emotion regulation at the start of therapy and at follow-up three months later.
Results: Structural equation models (SEM) were able to capture the latent variables of EA and monitor change during therapy.
Conclusions: Results indicate that measures of EA are sensitive to change and that EA is a multidimensional construct.
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