Assessing Experiential Avoidance: Further Testing of the AAQ-II and the MEAQ

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Experiential avoidance is central to third-wave behavioral theories and linked to internalizing psychopathology.
• The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) is commonly used to measure experiential avoidance.
• Concerns exist regarding the AAQ-II's discriminant validity from neuroticism, questioning its construct validity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the discriminant and convergent validity of the AAQ-II and the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ).
• To compare the AAQ-II and MEAQ in relation to neuroticism, negative affectivity, and mindfulness.
• To assess the underlying latent structure of scores from both questionnaires.

Main Methods:

• Utilized large online community (N=643) and undergraduate (N=488) samples.
• Administered the AAQ-II, MEAQ, measures of neuroticism, trait negative affect, and mindfulness.
• Employed Goldberg's "bass-ackward" approach to analyze the joint structure of scale, subscale, and item scores.

Main Results:

• AAQ-II scores were strongly associated with neuroticism and negative affectivity, particularly anxiety and depression facets.
• MEAQ scale scores demonstrated distinctness from neuroticism and negative affectivity.
• MEAQ scores functioned as a valid measure of experiential avoidance, distinct from neuroticism.

Conclusions:

• The AAQ-II may function primarily as a measure of neuroticism/negative affectivity rather than experiential avoidance.
• The MEAQ shows superior discriminant validity and appears to be a more accurate measure of experiential avoidance.
• Findings suggest reconsidering the use of AAQ-II for measuring experiential avoidance and support the MEAQ's utility.