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Updated: Jun 17, 2025
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Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm
Published on: October 3, 2020
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The relationship between momentary experiential avoidance and anxiety symptoms
Kimberly S Sain1, Kayla A Lord1,2, Kelly A Knowles1
1Anxiety Disorders Center, The Institute of Living, Hartford, CT, USA.
Anxiety, Stress, and Coping
|August 6, 2024
Summary
Experiential avoidance (EA) predicts increased stress in individuals with anxiety disorders. This study found that EA, a coping mechanism, leads to higher stress levels over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychopathology
Background:
- Experiential avoidance (EA) is a potential risk factor for anxiety-related disorders.
- Anxiety can both trigger and result from EA behaviors.
- Prior research using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) linked EA to increased anxiety in various populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in-the-moment, bidirectional relationship between EA, perceived stress, and anxiety symptoms.
- To examine these relationships in a clinical sample of patients with anxiety-related disorders.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 46 treatment-seeking patients with anxiety-related disorders participated.
- Participants underwent a baseline assessment and a 7-day EMA period with thrice-daily assessments.
- The study examined the bidirectional links between EA, perceived stress, and anxiety (autonomic arousal, worry/misery).
Main Results:
- Results indicated a unidirectional relationship: higher EA at one time point predicted increased stress at a later time point.
- This association remained significant after controlling for prior stress and linear time.
- Trend-level associations between EA and anxiety symptoms were also observed.
Conclusions:
- The study offers valuable insights into the EA-anxiety symptom relationship within a clinical anxiety disorder sample.
- Findings highlight the predictive role of EA in exacerbating stress in this population.
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