The indirect effects of state experiential avoidance on trait experiential avoidance and negative affect in the moment

Because experiential avoidance is considered by some to be the root of most forms of psychopathology, it is often a primary intervention and research target. Yet, the current literature is limited by its assessment and conceptualization of experiential avoidance as a trait variable. Little attention is paid to how it operates as a context-dependent state-based factor. Further, more information is needed to determine how experiential avoidance relates to affective states in specific contexts. Links have been established between experiential avoidance and negative affect intensity in the contextual behavior science (CBS) literature. Studying more specific elements of state-based experiential avoidance as potential mediators of negative affect is an important next step. Thus, the overarching goal of the present study was to measure the indirect effect of state experiential avoidance on the relationship between trait experiential avoidance and dimensions of negative affect following exposure to several challenging tasks. Participants (N = 160) in the current study completed both the cold pressor test and Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in a counterbalanced order. Non-parametric bootstrapping analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of state experiential avoidance on negative affect for the TSST condition. As predicted, these effects were strongest under interpersonal contexts rather than when physiological discomfort was evoked. Implications for conceptualizing experiential avoidance as state and trait and how these relate to CBS interventions are proposed.