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The mediation effect of experiential avoidance between coping and psychopathology in chronic pain
Author(s) -
Costa Joana,
PintoGouveia José
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-0879
pISSN - 1063-3995
DOI - 10.1002/cpp.699
Subject(s) - psychology , coping (psychology) , experiential avoidance , clinical psychology , psychopathology , anxiety , experiential learning , mediation , psychiatry , political science , law , mathematics education
This study explores experiential avoidance as a mediator in the relationship between coping (rational coping, avoidant coping and detached/ emotional coping) and psychopathology (depression, anxiety and stress). A battery of self‐report questionnaires was used to assess coping, experiential avoidance and depression, anxiety and stress in 70 participants with a chronic pain from Portuguese primary health care units. Regression analyses were performed and showed preliminary evidence supporting the mediation role of experiential avoidance in a Portuguese sample with chronic pain. Results show that experiential avoidance partially or fully mediate the effects of rational coping and detached/emotional coping on depression and stress. Implications for clinical practice were discussed and suggest that psychopathology is not necessary direct product of coping and other processes, such as experiential avoidance, are likely involved. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message: • Low use of adaptive coping was associated with more psychopathology via differences in psychological (in)flexibility as a general characteristic. • Findings suggest that psychopathology is not necessary direct product of coping and other processes, such as experiential avoidance, are likely involved. • Patients with chronic pain may achieve better psychosocial outcomes they reduce their avoidance and other attempts to control pain, accept it, and direct their efforts toward valued goal.