The role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between family conflict and depression among early adolescents

Biglan, Anthony; Gau, Jeff M.; Jones, Laura Backen; Hinds, Erika; Rusby, Julie C.; Cody, Christine; Sprague, Jeffrey

doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.12.001

Cited by 52Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

The role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between family conflict and depression among early adolescents

Biglan, Anthony, Gau, Jeff M., Jones, Laura Backen, Hinds, Erika, Rusby, Julie C., Cody, Christine, Sprague, Jeffrey·2015·Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science

DOI 10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.12.001

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Lower parenting-specific psychological flexibility in the general population is associated with increased mental health problems in both caregivers and children.
“Lower parenting-specific psychological flexibility in the general population is associated with increased mental health problems in both caregivers and children, decreased self-efficacy in caregivers and more externalising problems in children throughout childhood and adolescence (Biglan et al., 2015;Brassell et al., 2016;Emerson, Ogielda, & Rowse, 2019) and less effective caregiving practices (e.”
From Psychological Flexibility in Caregivers of Children With Congenital Craniofacial Conditions in the United Kingdom. (2026) · cites this paper as Biglan et al., 2015
Parenting-specific psychological flexibility may be related to increased child wellbeing through the adoption of more adaptive parenting practices and styles, reduced parental control, and enhanced caregiver-child interactions.
“Parenting-specific psychological flexibility may be related to increased child wellbeing through the adoption of more adaptive parenting practices and styles, reduced parental control and enhanced caregiver-child interactions (Biglan et al., 2015;Brassell et al., 2016;Emerson, Ogielda, & Rowse, 2019;Whittingham et al., 2019)”
From Psychological Flexibility in Caregivers of Children With Congenital Craniofacial Conditions in the United Kingdom. (2026) · cites this paper as Biglan et al., 2015
Psychological flexibility is associated with psychological wellbeing in various populations, including caregivers and their children and caregivers of children with disabilities.
“The current findings are consistent with previous research which suggests that psychological flexibility is associated with psychological wellbeing in various populations, including caregivers and their children as well as caregivers of children with disabilities (Biglan et al., 2015;Brassell et al., 2016;Burke & Moore, 2015;Emerson, Ogielda, & Rowse, 2019;Gur & Reich, 2023;Hayes et al., 1999;Kash”
From Psychological Flexibility in Caregivers of Children With Congenital Craniofacial Conditions in the United Kingdom. (2026) · cites this paper as Biglan et al., 2015

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“These results extend previous research findings linking psychological inflexibility and emotional distress, including depression and anxiety (Fonseca et al., 2020; Biglan et al., 2015; Bardeen et al., 2014; Tull & Gratz, 2008; Moroz & Dunkley, 2019; Richardson & Jost, 2019).”
Result
Experiential avoidance in the vulnerability to depression among adolescent females
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“Relaionships have been found between more psychological nflexibility and stress, anxiety (Emerson, Ogielda, & Rowse, 019) and depression (Biglan et al., 2015) in both parents nd children.”
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Developmental trajectories of experiential avoidance and depressive symptoms and association to health behaviors among adolescents during brief guided online acceptance and commitment therapy
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“In a study conducted on a large group of adolescents, family conflict appears to be a positively significant predictor of adolescents’ depressive symptoms (Biglan et al., 2015).”
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Result
Perceived Stress Moderates the Impact of Internalizing Symptoms on Family Functioning in Early Adolescence
Simpson, E. G., Vannucci, A., Lincoln, C. R., & Ohannessian, C. M. (2019) · The Journal of Early Adolescence · doi:10.1177/0272431619837378 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Correlational studies reveal that internalizing disorders in early adolescence are negatively associated with family and adolescent-parent conflict (Biglan et al., 2015; Cance et al., 2015; Hughes & Gullone, 2008).”
Background
Addressing A Mental Health Intervention Gap in Juvenile Detention: A Pilot Study
Duchschere, J. E., Reznik, S. J., Shanholtz, C. E., O’Hara, K. L., Gerson, N., Beck, C. J. A., & Lawrence, E. E. (2022) · Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health · doi:10.1080/23794925.2022.2042873 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“This is particularly relevant to adolescents in juvenile detention, who may also have higher levels of experiential avoidance, as it has been linked to coercive family interactions (Biglan et al., 2015), behavioral problems (Kingston et al., 2010), and symptoms in responses to childhood trauma (Shenk et al., 2012). Al…”
Background
Family Processes and Child Psychopathology: A Between- and Within-Family/Child Analysis
Lin, S.-Y., Schleider, J. L., & Eaton, N. R. (2021) · Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology · doi:10.1007/s10802-020-00749-x · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Mindfulness and meditation as an adjunctive treatment for adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system: Is repairing the brain and nervous system possible?
Winters, D. E., & Beerbower, E. (2017) · Social Work in Health Care · doi:10.1080/00981389.2017.1316341 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Mood states Mindfulness increases: Well-being Cheng (2016)a Barnert, Himelstein, Herbert, Garcia-Romeu, and Chamberlain (2014)b Life satisfaction Kong, Wang, and Zhao (2014) Relationship satisfaction O’Kelly and Collard (2012); Biglan et al. (2015)a”
Background
Bon Voyage: Developing a scale for measuring value among younger populations and examining its reliability and validity
石津, 憲., Ohtsuki, T., Shimoda, Y., & Takahashi, F. (2019) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.12.007 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
An Inclusive View of the Disability of Secondary School Students
Méndez-Aguado, C., Trigueros, R., Aguilar-Parra, J. M., Gómez, N. N., Díaz-López, M. D. P., Campoy, J. M. F., Hernández, J. F. G., & Carrión, J. J. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17238922 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“[66] relate psychological flexibility with good family bonding, thus reducing conflict [67] by reducing negative parental thoughts and reactivity [68].”
Background
Protocolo de intervención en flexibilidad psicológica y regulación emocional con terapia contextual en familias: una serie de casos
Flujas-Contreras, J. M. (2021) · Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes · doi:10.21134/rpcna.2021.08.3.6 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Avoidance Bias to Angry Faces Predicts the Development of Depressive Symptoms among Adolescent Girls
Woody, M. L., Ladouceur, C. D., Borrero, E., Wang, Y. S., & Silk, J. S. (2022) · Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology · doi:10.1007/s10802-022-00948-8 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Indeed, adolescents who report engaging in experiential avoidance are also more likely to report higher levels of both cross-sectional and longitudinal depressive (Biglan et al., 2015; Greco et al., 2008; Mellick et al., 2019) and social anxiety symptoms (Papachristou et al.”
BackgroundInfluential
Contingent self-worth and depression in early adolescents: The role of psychological inflexibility as a mediator
石津, 憲., Ohtsuki, T., & Shimoda, Y. (2022) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103744 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Psychological Flexibility and Parenting Stress in Divorced Parents
Güngör, A., & Avcı, Ö. H. (2024) · Uluslararası Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi · doi:10.46778/goputeb.1515745 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
The effect of secure attachment on family relationships and peer bullying in adolescents: the mediating role of positive childhood experiences
Çi̇çek, İ., Korkmaz, Z., Ünsal, F., Alanazi, Z. S., Gómez-Salgado, J. C., & Yıldırım, M. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1700648 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Triangling in Family of Origin, Internet Addiction, and Social Media Addiction: What Is the Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship?
Kurşuncu, M. A., Griffiths, M. D., BAŞTEMUR, Ş., & Şal, F. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-023-01221-9 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Moreover, family conflicts have been associated with experiential avoidance and emotional symptoms (i.e., depression) (Biglan et al., 2015).”
The relationship between family health, stress, and self-efficacy on depression among university students: a large-scale national cross-sectional study
Zhang, Z., Liu, W., Zhang, C., & Sun, L. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1625269 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
ACT in school settings: A pilot study of ACT-based universal group psycho-educational program among Japanese early adolescents
石津, 憲., Ohtsuki, T., Shimoda, Y., & Kunisato, Y. (2024) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100851 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Family adversity and co-occurring pain, psychological, and somatic symptom trajectories from late childhood through early adolescence
Senger‐Carpenter, T., Seng, J. S., Marriott, D. J., Herrenkohl, T. I., Scott, E. L., Chen, B., & Voepel‐Lewis, T. (2024) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117650 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The Influence of Family Conflict on Adolescent Digital Self-Harm
Loes, C. N. (2025) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-024-02985-x · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“For example, research links family con ﬂ ict with higher levels of adolescent risk-taking behaviors (Guassi Moreira & Telzer, 2018), negative emotions (Biglan et al., 2015), and diminished self-control (Willems et al., 2020).”
Ergenlerde Genel Kaygı ile Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığı Arasındaki İlişkide Yaşantısal Kaçınmanın Aracı Rolü
Vangölü, M. S., Padır, M. A., & Ünsal, F. (2025) · KIRŞEHİR EĞİTİM FAKÜLTESİ DERGİSİ · doi:10.29299/kefad.1512179 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Multiple Risks and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms in Ethnic Regions of China: Analyses Using Cumulative Risk Model, Logistic Regression, and Association Rule Mining
Zhou, T., Wang, C., Hu, J., Zhang, S., Fu, L. S., Huang, Z., & Qi, H. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15050657 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“In contrast, family conflict is related to increased adolescent stress (Lawrence, 2022), greater emotional insecurity (Biglan et al., 2015), and potential difficulties in the development of emotion regulation abilities (Cummings et al., 2015), which may, in turn, be linked to poorer mental health…”
Psychological Flexibility in Caregivers of Children With Congenital Craniofacial Conditions in the United Kingdom.
Shepherd, L., Zucchelli, F., Aspland, R., White, P., Hotton, M., & Stock, N. M. (2026) · The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal · doi:10.1177/10556656251392271 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
An Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Childhood Separation Anxiety: A Case Study
Lobato, D., Flujas-Contreras, J. M., Montesinos, F., & Montoya-Rodríguez, M. M. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16010082 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“…the short term, but the psychological discomfort increases in the long term (S. Hayes et al., 2014), which can cause parental stress and anxiety (Daks et al., 2020; Fonseca et al., 2020), depressive episodes (Biglan et al., 2015), and/or inconsistent or maladaptive habits (Sairanen et al., 2018).”
The mediation effect of the inferior-parietal cortex and globus pallidus on the relationship between family conflict and major depressive disorder
Liu, X., Wang, X., Fan, J., Liu, Q., Xiao, C., Gao, F., Xia, J., Han, Y., Zhu, X., & Liao, H. (2024) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.10.014 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Antidepressant food consumption and its association with depression risk in adolescents: Findings from an urban area of Indonesia
Andani, D. P., Purwaningrum, D. N., & Prabandari, Y. S. (2025) · Nutrition and Health · doi:10.1177/02601060251327714 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Stress, particularly from family con ﬂ icts and ﬁ nancial strain exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, signi ﬁ cantly increased depression risk (Biglan et al., 2015; Sya ﬁ q et al., 2022).”
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II for Turkish adolescents: Validation testing and the mediating role of experiential avoidance between emotional suppression and depression
Karaman, H., & Faruk Caner, Y. A. M. (2026) · Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi · doi:10.57127/kpd.26024438.1862314 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Investigating Structural Pattern of Depression Based on Experiential Avoidance and Emotional Repression: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion
Harzang, L. K., Heshmati, R., & Sharifi, H. P. (2018) · Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.32598/ijpcp.24.3.284 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Values and valued action: relationships with perceived parenting styles and well-being at the transition from high school to early adulthood
Williams, K. E. (2014) · Research Online (University of Wollongong) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Fatores associados ao uso problemático de vídeo games entre adolescentes brasileiros
Brandão, L. C. (2022) · doi:10.11606/t.47.2022.tde-15082022-133753 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
الدور الوسیط للتجنب التجریبی بین الاحتراق النفسی وکل من القلق والاکتئاب لدى معلمی التلامیذ ذوی صعوبات التعلم
Abouzaid, A. M. G. (2022) · مجلة البحث العلمى فى التربية · doi:10.21608/jsre.2022.148463.1488
Factors associated with playing video games to forget or alleviate real life problems in adolescence
Brandão, L. C., Sanchez, Z. M., & Melo, M. H. D. S. (2023) · Environment and Social Psychology · doi:10.54517/esp.v8i2.1609
“It is a coping strategy that may work as a way to diminish unpleasant experiences in the short term, but may lead to enhancing problems in the long term([38]).”
BackgroundResult
Family cohesion and adaptability effects on social anxiety among adolescents: The mediating role of experiential avoidance
Ni, Y., Zeng, S., Xu, Y., & Guo, T. (2024) · Journal of Psychology in Africa · doi:10.1080/14330237.2024.2425235
Adaptation and psychometric network analysis of the Psy-Flex in Peruvian population
Huerta, S. L., Barbaran-Alvarado, R., Travezaño-Cabrera, A., & Vilca, L. W. (2025) · Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.jbct.2025.100555
Educational Psychology of School Maladjustment and Over-Adjustment:
TAKAHASHI, Y., ITO, M., NISHIYAMA, H., 石津, 憲., Shimizu, M., SEKI, K., Suzuki, M., & ARAI, H. (2025) · The Annual Report of Educational Psychology in Japan · doi:10.5926/arepj.64.321
Interaction of experiential avoidance and self-reassurance in relation to depressive symptoms among Japanese adolescents: a short-term longitudinal study
石津, 憲., Ohtsuki, T., & Shimoda, Y. (2025) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-08764-1
“Although avoidance may offer short-term relief, persis - tent experiential avoidance is associated with a wide range of negative psychological outcomes across the lifespan, including among youth populations (Biglan, 2015; Mel-lick et al., 2017).”
How Does the Family Conflict Relate to Internet Gaming Addiction, Insomnia, and Depression Among High School Students?
Akat, M. (2026) · Turkish Journal of Educational Studies · doi:10.33907/turkjes.1820615
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy–Based Intervention for Parents of Children With Behavioral Problems: A Multiple Baseline Study
Lobato, D., Flujas-Contreras, J. M., Montoya-Rodríguez, M. M., Polín, E., & Montesinos, F. (2026) · Child & Family Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1080/07317107.2026.2640383
“…as PPF training predicts more adaptive interactions with children, allows to maximize the effectiveness of interventions for childhood behavioral problems, and facilitates adherence and implementation of operant techniques such as positive reinforcement or extinction (Biglan et al., 2015).”
The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties in the Relationship Between Experiential Avoidance and Somatic Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study
Erbildim, E., & Nweke, G. E. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16050795
“Experiential avoidance mediates past family-conflict-related emotions and depressive symptoms according to Biglan et al. (2015).”

Experiential avoidance in adolescents with borderline personality disorder: comparison with a non-BPD psychiatric group and healthy controls
Jones, J. G., Penner, F., Schramm, A. T., & Sharp, C. (2019) · Cognitive Behaviour Therapy · doi:10.1080/16506073.2019.1623303 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Longitudinal Associations Between Campus Exclusion, Experiential Avoidance and Depression Among Chinese Adolescents: Disentangling Between‐ and Within‑Person Effects
Rao, M., Dai, Q., Li, F., & Ye, B. (2026) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1002/jad.70120 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The Significance of Parental Depressed Mood for Young Adolescents' Emotional and Family Experiences
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The Role of Implicit Family Conflict and Depression on Adolescent Risk Taking
Smith, K. (2020) · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · doi:10.17615/cmm9-3a84 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Experiential avoidance in the vulnerability to depression among adolescent females
Mellick, W., Vanwoerden, S., & Sharp, C. (2017) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.10.034 · Cited by 25 · see citing works

Authors: Biglan, A., Gau, J. M., Jones, L. B., Hinds, E., Rusby, J. C., Cody, C., & Sprague, J.
Affiliations: Oregon Research Institute (US)
University of Oregon (US)
Corresponding author: Biglan, Anthony
ORCID: Biglan, Anthony
Gau, Jeff M.
Rusby, Julie C.
Venue: Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2015-01
Volume: 4
Issue: 1
Pages: 30-36
ISSN: 2212-1447 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.12.001
OpenAlex: W2032246113
Cited by: 52
References: 60
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2014: 1
FWCI: 2.90
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD60922)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA-019037)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords: experiential avoidance, family conflict, adolescent depression, early adolescents, gender differences, family functioning, longitudinal development

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