Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
Experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta-cognition, and body-checking among women during pregnancy and
Uzma Ilyas1, Zarmin Tariq2, Javeria Asim1
1Psychology Department, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Objective:
The present study attempted to explore the psychological experiences of experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta-cognition, self-compassion and body-checking during two stages of maternity (pregnancy and postpartum) among women embracing maternity for the first time.
Methods:
The study used a cross sectional correlational design and enrolled 306 women participants who were in their third trimester of pregnancy or of postpartum (pregnant = 154 [50.3%]; postpartum = 152 [49.7%]) with ages ranging between 20 and 35 years (M = 26.62; SD = 2.19). The data was collected using the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ); Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ); Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ); Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Body-checking Questionnaire (BCQ). Data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 21.
Results:
A significant positive association was observed between experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta-cognition, and body-checking while self-compassion showed reverse association with these variables. The body-checking outcome was significantly negatively predicted by self-compassionate attitude and positively by thought suppression in both groups (i.e., pregnant and postpartum). The experiential avoidance positively predicted body-checking among women in post-partum group only. Moreover, a mediating association of experiential avoidance and a moderating effect of self-compassion (self-kindness and common humanity) and meta-cognition (positive beliefs about worry and need to control thought) were also observed to moderate between thought suppression and body-checking outcomes.
Conclusion:
The study concluded that experiential avoidance and thought suppression contribute in developing body-checking behaviors among women who are pregnant or at postpartum stage of maternity. In addition, self-compassion and meta-cognition moderate this association with self-compassion playing potential buffer.
More Related Videos
06:39Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
07:01Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
The Scientific Method
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification