title: Does experiential avoidance mediate the effects of maladaptive coping styles on psychopathology and mental health?
abstract: Experiential avoidance (EA) is considered a risk factor for psychopathology.This study explores whether EA mediates the relationship between maladaptive coping styles (palliative, avoidance, and passive coping) and psychopathology and positive mental health. A total of 93 adults with mild to moderate psychological distress completed measures assessing coping styles, psychopathology (depression, anxiety, and alcohol use), and mental health (emotional, psychological, and social well-being). Results showed that EA mediated the effects of passive coping on both increased anxiety and depression and decreased emotional and psychological well-being. These results suggest that a person who is prone to use EA or has learned EA in stressful situations has a higher risk of developing psychopathology and lower mental health.This indicates that early interventions that aim at people with high levels of EA are highly relevant.
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology & Communication of Health & Risk, Netherlands. m.fledderus@utwente.nl
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fledderus
authors.forename: Ernst T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Bohlmeijer
authors.forename: Marcel E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pieterse
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires