Experiential Avoidance as a Mediator Between Emotion Dysregulation and Panic Symptoms

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between emotion dysregulation and panic symptoms.Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was used, involving ۴۲۴ participants recruited from various educational and community settings in Nigeria. The sample size was determined using the Morgan and Krejcie table. Participants completed three standardized self-report instruments: the Panic Disorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS-SR), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II (AAQ-II), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Data were analyzed using SPSS-۲۷ for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations, and AMOS-۲۱ for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The assumptions of normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity were tested and met.Findings: Descriptive results showed moderate levels of panic symptoms (M = ۱۳.۸۲, SD = ۴.۵۱), high levels of experiential avoidance (M = ۲۹.۶۷, SD = ۶.۱۲), and elevated emotion dysregulation (M = ۸۸.۴۵, SD = ۱۴.۲۸). Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between all study variables (p < .۰۰۱). SEM analysis revealed that emotion dysregulation significantly predicted both experiential avoidance (β = .۴۱, p < .۰۰۱) and panic symptoms (β = .۲۳, p = .۰۰۴). Experiential avoidance also significantly predicted panic symptoms (β = .۳۵, p < .۰۰۱). The indirect effect of emotion dysregulation on panic symptoms through experiential avoidance was statistically significant (β = .۱۴, p < .۰۰۱), supporting the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit indices indicated a good fit (χ²/df = ۲.۲۰, CFI = .۹۷, RMSEA = .۰۵۳).Conclusion: These findings highlight the transdiagnostic importance of addressing both avoidance behaviors and emotional regulation difficulties in psychological interventions for panic-related distress. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between emotion dysregulation and panic symptoms. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was used, involving ۴۲۴ participants recruited from various educational and community settings in Nigeria. The sample size was determined using the Morgan and Krejcie table. Participants completed three standardized self-report instruments: the Panic Disorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS-SR), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II (AAQ-II), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Data were analyzed using SPSS-۲۷ for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations, and AMOS-۲۱ for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The assumptions of normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity were tested and met. Findings: Descriptive results showed moderate levels of panic symptoms (M = ۱۳.۸۲, SD = ۴.۵۱), high levels of experiential avoidance (M = ۲۹.۶۷, SD = ۶.۱۲), and elevated emotion dysregulation (M = ۸۸.۴۵, SD = ۱۴.۲۸). Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between all study variables (p < .۰۰۱). SEM analysis revealed that emotion dysregulation significantly predicted both experiential avoidance (β = .۴۱, p < .۰۰۱) and panic symptoms (β = .۲۳, p = .۰۰۴). Experiential avoidance also significantly predicted panic symptoms (β = .۳۵, p < .۰۰۱). The indirect effect of emotion dysregulation on panic symptoms through experiential avoidance was statistically significant (β = .۱۴, p < .۰۰۱), supporting the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit indices indicated a good fit (χ²/df = ۲.۲۰, CFI = .۹۷, RMSEA = .۰۵۳). Conclusion: These findings highlight the transdiagnostic importance of addressing both avoidance behaviors and emotional regulation difficulties in psychological interventions for panic-related distress.

کلیدواژه ها:

Panic symptoms ، Emotion dysregulation ، Experiential avoidance