Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II scores as a predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among war veterans

Meyer, Eric C.; Morissette, Sandra B.; Kimbrel, Nathan A.; Kruse, Marc I.; Gulliver, Suzy Bird

doi:10.1037/a0030178

Cited by 82Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II scores as a predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among war veterans

Meyer, Eric C., Morissette, Sandra B., Kimbrel, Nathan A., Kruse, Marc I., Gulliver, Suzy Bird·2013·Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy

DOI 10.1037/a0030178

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Abstract

Although much is known regarding predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little of this knowledge directly informs treatment. This study examined whether higher scores on the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II (AAQ–II), a self-report measure that purportedly assesses experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility, accounted for unique variance in PTSD symptoms compared with personality factors and other established predictors of PTSD. In addition, this study examined whether the construct measured by the AAQ–II accounts for unique variance in PTSD severity over and above the avoidance symptoms of PTSD. A sample of 109 trauma-exposed veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, approximately half of whom met current PTSD criteria on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), completed self-report measures of PTSD, combat exposure, perceived life threat, peritraumatic dissociation, recent life stress, perceived postdeployment social support, and personality. Higher AAQ–II scores, which indicate higher levels of psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance, accounted for unique variance in PTSD symptom severity after controlling for all other predictors (small effect size [ES] on the CAPS; large ES on the self-report PTSD measure). Significant effects for AAQ–II scores remained after controlling for the avoidance symptoms of PTSD (small ES on the CAPS; medium ES on the self-report measure). Scores on the AAQ–II appears to be an important predictor of PTSD that warrants further investigation. Research should continue to examine the malleability of the constructs assessed by the AAQ–II, which may be useful targets in treatment.

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Experiential avoidance is associated with greater PTSD symptom severity in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
“Experiential avoidance has been shown to be associated with both greater PTSD symptom severity and lower perceived social support in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans [21].”
From A Randomized Pilot Study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [21]
Experiential avoidance is associated with lower perceived social support in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
“Experiential avoidance has been shown to be associated with both greater PTSD symptom severity and lower perceived social support in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans [21].”
From A Randomized Pilot Study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [21]

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Authors: Meyer, E. C., Morissette, S. B., Kimbrel, N. A., Kruse, M. I., & Gulliver, S. B.
Affiliations: United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
ORCID: Meyer, Eric C.
Morissette, Sandra B.
Kimbrel, Nathan A.
Gulliver, Suzy Bird
Venue: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2013-11
Volume: 5
Issue: 6
Pages: 521-528
ISSN: 1942-9681 (ISSN-L)
1942-969X
DOI: 10.1037/a0030178
OpenAlex: W2136340908
Cited by: 82
References: 37
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 1
FWCI: 7.78
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy (publishedVersion)
Funders: Department of Veterans Affairs (I01RX000304)
VA Office of R&D (CDA-2 1IK2CX000525-01A1)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords: Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, post-traumatic stress disorder, war veterans, experiential avoidance, psychological inflexibility, PTSD symptom severity, avoidance symptoms, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, combat exposure, peritraumatic dissociation, perceived life threat, personality factors, predictors of PTSD

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Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II scores as a predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among war veterans

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