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The role of experiential avoidance in paranoid delusions: an experience sampling study
Alisa Udachina1, Filippo Varese, Inez Myin-Germeys
1Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK.
The British Journal of Clinical Psychology
|May 16, 2014
Summary
Experiential avoidance (EA), the intolerance of unpleasant mental states, contributes to paranoid thinking and low self-esteem. These factors interact, with EA and social stress worsening self-esteem.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Experiential avoidance (EA) involves intolerance towards aversive mental states.
- Paranoid delusions are characterized by persecutory beliefs.
- Understanding the interplay between EA and self-esteem is crucial for explaining paranoia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of experiential avoidance (EA) in paranoid delusions.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms connecting EA, self-esteem, and paranoia.
- To examine how stress influences the relationship between EA and self-esteem.
Main Methods:
- A 6-day prospective momentary assessment study.
- Utilized the experience sampling method (ESM) with 41 paranoid patients.
- Assessed psychopathology and daily life context through structured diaries.
Main Results:
- Both low self-esteem and EA were significant contributors to paranoid thinking.
- EA partially mediated the link between low self-esteem and paranoia, and vice versa.
- EA exacerbated low self-esteem, particularly under high activity-related stress.
Conclusions:
- Mental control strategies, like EA, are implicated in the development of paranoia.
- Findings align with the attributional model of paranoia, suggesting delusions stem from avoiding negative self-thoughts.
- EA is linked to self-esteem instability and is independently associated with social stress.
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