Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae
The current study sought to investigate measurement discrepancies in self-report assessment of experiential avoidance (EA). Recent research indicates that EA may be more appropriately conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, operationally defined in terms of specific avoidance strategies. To...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2017-02-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/7/1/9 |
| _version_ | 1818935708611510272 |
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| author | Meaghan Lewis Amy Naugle |
| author_facet | Meaghan Lewis Amy Naugle |
| author_sort | Meaghan Lewis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The current study sought to investigate measurement discrepancies in self-report assessment of experiential avoidance (EA). Recent research indicates that EA may be more appropriately conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, operationally defined in terms of specific avoidance strategies. To test this notion, EA was measured using two self-report assessment instruments, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ) in a convenience sample of university students. Measurement differences across measures and unique contributions to prediction of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and engagement in problematic behaviors were evaluated. Both the AAQ-II and MEAQ were found to significantly mediate the effect of childhood trauma exposure on PTSS. However, when levels of PTSS were dummy coded into dichotomies of those with a likely PTSD diagnosis and those without, the MEAQ was a stronger predictor symptoms of those with a likely PTSD diagnosis than AAQ-II did. These results provide initial support for the discriminant validity of the MEAQ, which appears to be a more specific predictor of trauma-related symptoms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T05:24:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef5747395898403eae0ae50a4ff65d56 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T05:24:28Z |
| publishDate | 2017-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-ef5747395898403eae0ae50a4ff65d562022-12-21T19:51:56ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2017-02-0171910.3390/bs7010009bs7010009Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma SequelaeMeaghan Lewis0Amy Naugle1Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, 3700 Wood Hall, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USADepartment of Psychology, Western Michigan University, 3700 Wood Hall, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USAThe current study sought to investigate measurement discrepancies in self-report assessment of experiential avoidance (EA). Recent research indicates that EA may be more appropriately conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, operationally defined in terms of specific avoidance strategies. To test this notion, EA was measured using two self-report assessment instruments, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ) in a convenience sample of university students. Measurement differences across measures and unique contributions to prediction of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and engagement in problematic behaviors were evaluated. Both the AAQ-II and MEAQ were found to significantly mediate the effect of childhood trauma exposure on PTSS. However, when levels of PTSS were dummy coded into dichotomies of those with a likely PTSD diagnosis and those without, the MEAQ was a stronger predictor symptoms of those with a likely PTSD diagnosis than AAQ-II did. These results provide initial support for the discriminant validity of the MEAQ, which appears to be a more specific predictor of trauma-related symptoms.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/7/1/9experiential avoidanceMEAQAAQ-IIchildhood trauma |
| spellingShingle | Meaghan Lewis Amy Naugle Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae Behavioral Sciences experiential avoidance MEAQ AAQ-II childhood trauma |
| title | Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae |
| title_full | Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae |
| title_fullStr | Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae |
| title_short | Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae |
| title_sort | measuring experiential avoidance evidence toward multidimensional predictors of trauma sequelae |
| topic | experiential avoidance MEAQ AAQ-II childhood trauma |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/7/1/9 |
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