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

Experiential Avoidance is a core construct of third-wave behavioral theories and a predictor of internalizing psychopathology. Experiential avoidance has been most frequently measured using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). However, several studies have indicated the AAQ-II scale scores demonstrate poor discriminant validity from neuroticism, calling into question the interpretation of past findings and leading some researchers to suggest measuring experiential avoidance with the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ). In large online community (N = 643) and undergraduate (N = 488) samples, discriminant and convergent validity between scale scores of the AAQ-II, MEAQ, measures of neuroticism, a measure of trait negative affect, and a mindfulness measure were tested. In addition, the joint structure of scores from all measures was tested using Goldberg's "bass-ackward" approach at the scale, subscale, and item levels. This allows for a thorough evaluation of the latent content being captured by scores on the AAQ-II and MEAQ. Results indicate that the AAQ-II is more accurately described as measure of neuroticism/negative affectivity, more specifically the anxiety/depression facets of trait neuroticism. Moreover, the MEAQ scale scores were distinct from neuroticism and negative affectivity scale scores and functioned as expected for a measure of experiential avoidance.