Psychological Inflexibility, Anxiety and Depression: The Moderating Role of Cognitive Fusion, Experiential Avoidance and Activation

Abstract

Background: Evidence about how cognitive fusion (CF) and experiential avoidance (EA) interact with emotional distress underlines the importance of analyzing the interrelationships between the different processes of psychological inflexibility in order to improve ways of addressing emotional problems. This study analyzes the moderating effect of CF, EA and activation (A) in relation to four criteria of anxiety and depression. Method: A cross-sectional study of a clinical sample of adults was carried out by means of a questionnaire administered before (N = 172) and 6 months after (N = 114) participation in a clinical study. Results: Regression analyses gave results which were consistent in the two evaluations. The EAxCF interaction modulated anxiety symptomatology, whereas A was not a significant predictor. Nevertheless, a reduction in A was the principal modulating condition in the symptomatology of depression; and although CF and EA did act as independent predictors, the EAxCF interaction was not significant. Conclusions: The presence and intensity of manifestations of emotional distress are explained and modulated by the progressive concurrence of CF, EA and reduction in A. The use of therapeutic approaches which increase activation could be a beneficial strategy with regard to decreasing cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance..