Psychological Flexibility and Inflexibility of University Students: An In-Depth Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health

Background:

• Psychological flexibility, a core concept in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), involves embracing internal experiences while pursuing values.
• Psychological inflexibility, characterized by avoidance and control, impedes adaptive functioning.
• Culturally relevant research is needed to inform interventions for Latin American students' well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore manifestations of psychological flexibility and inflexibility in undergraduate students in Colombia.
• To understand how students experience and make sense of psychological flexibility and inflexibility.
• To inform the development of culturally adapted ACT-based interventions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 15 undergraduate students.
• Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) used for data analysis.
• Themes were identified and mapped onto the 6 core ACT processes.

Main Results:

• Participants reported attempts to control or avoid distressing internal experiences, impacting their ability to act according to values.
• A recurring ambivalence between acceptance and avoidance was observed.
• Barriers to committed action were identified, highlighting the interplay between flexibility and inflexibility.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the relevance of ACT-based interventions, including mindfulness and values-based behavior, for promoting student well-being.
• Integrating ACT interventions into counseling and academic support services can enhance student well-being and performance.
• Further longitudinal research across diverse contexts is recommended.