Experiential avoidance and well-being: A daily diary analysis

Machell, Kyla A.; Goodman, Fallon R.; Kashdan, Todd B.

doi:10.1080/02699931.2014.911143

Cited by 122Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Experiential avoidance and well-being: A daily diary analysis

Machell, Kyla A., Goodman, Fallon R., Kashdan, Todd B.·2015·Cognition and Emotion

DOI 10.1080/02699931.2014.911143

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Abstract

Experiential avoidance (EA) is a regulatory strategy characterised by efforts to control or avoid unpleasant thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Most studies of EA have used trait measures without considering the effects of EA on psychological functioning in naturalistic settings. To address this gap, we used daily diary methodology to examine the influence of EA of anxiety on everyday well-being. For two weeks, 89 participants provided daily reports of EA, positive and negative affect, enjoyment of daily events and meaning in life (MIL). Daily EA predicted higher negative affect, lower positive affect, less enjoyment of daily events (exercising, eating food and listening to music) and less MIL. The effect of EA on positive affect was not accounted for by the amount of negative affect experienced. Our daily measure of EA was a stronger predictor of daily well-being than a traditional trait measure (The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire). Taken together, results offer insights into the adverse effects of EA on daily well-being and suggest that EA is a context-specific regulatory strategy that might be best captured using a state-dependent measure.

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Experiential avoidance can deteriorate daily well-being (Machell et al., 2014).
“Experiential avoidance is a factor that can deteriorate daily well-being and enhance the experience of negative affect (Machell etal., 2014).”
From Mapping acceptance and commitment therapy outcomes in the context of infertility: a systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Machell et al., 2014
Experiential avoidance can enhance the experience of negative affect (Machell et al., 2014).
“Experiential avoidance is a factor that can deteriorate daily well-being and enhance the experience of negative affect (Machell etal., 2014).”
From Mapping acceptance and commitment therapy outcomes in the context of infertility: a systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Machell et al., 2014
Experiential avoidance is a context-specific regulatory strategy.
“Previous research using a naturalistic approach of experiential avoidance found that it is a context-speci fi c regulatory strategy (Machell, Goodman, & Kashdan, 2015).”
From Infertility-related stress and depressive symptoms – the role of experiential avoidance: a cross-sectional study. (2020) · cites this paper as Machell, Goodman, & Kashdan, 2015

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“Experiential avoidance is a factor that can deteriorate daily well-being and enhance the experience of negative affect (Machell et al., 2014).”

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Tyndall, I., Waldeck, D., Pancani, L., Whelan, R., Roche, B., & Dawson, D. L. (2019) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.09.005 · Cited by 303 · see citing works
Measuring experiential avoidance: A preliminary test of a working model
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., Wilson, K. G., Bissett, R. T., Pistorello, J., Toarmino, D., Polusny, M. A., Dykstra, T. A., Batten, S. V., Bergan, J., et al. (2004) · The Psychological Record · doi:10.1007/bf03395492 · Cited by 2,140 · see citing works
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Authors: Machell, K. A., Goodman, F. R., & Kashdan, T. B.
Affiliations: George Mason University (US)
Corresponding author: Kashdan, Todd B.
ORCID: Goodman, Fallon R.
Kashdan, Todd B.
Venue: Cognition and Emotion
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2014-05-06
Volume: 29
Issue: 2
Pages: 351-359
ISSN: 0269-9931 (ISSN-L)
1464-0600
DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2014.911143
OpenAlex: W2015584502
Cited by: 122
References: 29
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2
FWCI: 5.11
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Cognition & Emotion (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords: experiential avoidance, well-being, daily affect, positive affect, negative affect, meaning in life, anxiety, emotion regulation, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire
MeSH terms: Activities of Daily Living, Adaptation, Psychological, Affect, Anxiety, Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Medical Records, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult

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Experiential avoidance and well-being: A daily diary analysis

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