The mediating role of ACT processes in psychological distress
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion mediate the relationship between worry, rumination and stressful life-events (predictors) and psychological distress?
IRAS ID
178438
Contact name
Camilla Cookson
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Objectives: This project aims to develop our understanding of anxiety and depression, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes et al., 1999) as the guiding theoretical model. ACT suggests that our relationship with our internal (e.g. thoughts and feelings) and external (life events) experiences is the key determinant of psychological distress, as opposed to their form or content. ACT identifies two psychological vulnerabilities that may help us understand anxiety and depression: 1) excessive entanglement with unhelpful thoughts (cognitive fusion) and 2) excessive attempts to avoid unwanted internal experiences and situations that trigger them (experiential avoidance). From an ACT perspective, it is predicted that experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion explain the relationship between three well-established predictors of anxiety and depression: life-events, rumination and worry (see Kashdan et al., 2006). Therefore, this study aims to determine whether experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion mediate (explain) the relationship between rumination and depression; worry and anxiety; and life-stressors, anxiety and depression. This study will advance existing research by using a valid measure of experiential avoidance, exploring the role of cognitive fusion, and by using a longitudinal design.
Design and Methods: A longitudinal design will be used, and self-report questionnaires completed by approximately 80 participants with anxiety and depression, recruited from the Centre for Psychology. Potential participants will 'opt-in' to hearing about the research after the triage assessment (completed as part of standard practise), if they so choose, and will be given a week to consider taking part. Those consenting will complete questionnaires at a place of their choosing in the weeks following triage. These questionnaires include measures of anxiety, depression, cognitive fusion, experiential avoidance, worry, rumination and stressful life-events. One to three months later (when entering treatment), anxiety and depression measures will be completed as per standard-care. A meditational analysis will be used.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0707
Date of REC Opinion
13 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion