Experiential Avoidance as a Mediator Between Emotion Dysregulation and Panic Symptoms
Keywords:
Panic symptoms, Emotion dysregulation, Experiential avoidanceAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between emotion dysregulation and panic symptoms.
Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was used, involving 424 participants recruited from various educational and community settings in Nigeria. The sample size was determined using the Morgan and Krejcie table. Participants completed three standardized self-report instruments: the Panic Disorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS-SR), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II (AAQ-II), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations, and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The assumptions of normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity were tested and met.
Findings: Descriptive results showed moderate levels of panic symptoms (M = 13.82, SD = 4.51), high levels of experiential avoidance (M = 29.67, SD = 6.12), and elevated emotion dysregulation (M = 88.45, SD = 14.28). Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between all study variables (p < .001). SEM analysis revealed that emotion dysregulation significantly predicted both experiential avoidance (β = .41, p < .001) and panic symptoms (β = .23, p = .004). Experiential avoidance also significantly predicted panic symptoms (β = .35, p < .001). The indirect effect of emotion dysregulation on panic symptoms through experiential avoidance was statistically significant (β = .14, p < .001), supporting the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit indices indicated a good fit (χ²/df = 2.20, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .053).
Conclusion: These findings highlight the transdiagnostic importance of addressing both avoidance behaviors and emotional regulation difficulties in psychological interventions for panic-related distress.
Downloads
References
Babaeifard, M., Akbari, M., Mohammadkhani, S., Hasani, J., Shahbazian, R., & Selby, E. A. (2024). Early Maladaptive Schemas, Distress Tolerance and Self-Injury in Iranian Adolescents: Serial Mediation Model of Transdiagnostic Factors. BJPsych Open, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.708
Cha, E. J., Hong, S., Park, D.-H., Ryu, S.-H., Ha, J. H., & Jeon, H. J. (2022). A network analysis of panic symptoms in relation to depression and anxiety sensitivity in patients with panic disorder. Journal of affective disorders, 308, 134-140. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35429524/
Erbildim, E. (2024). The Mediator Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Somatic Symptoms. 6(3), 255-261. https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.24.3.07
Farsa, F. A., Shahabizadeh, F., Hashemi, M., & Dadkhah, P. (2022). Presenting a Model of Pain Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain Based on Mood and Anxiety Symptoms and Emotional Schemas: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance and Self-Compassion. Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry, 9(5), 40-54. https://doi.org/10.32598/shenakht.9.5.40
Gerdan, G. (2025). Exploring the Role of Contrast Avoidance, Worry, and Rumination in the Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder Symptoms in a Clinical Sample. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-07641-1
Hardt, M. M., Williams, J. L., & Jobe‐Shields, L. (2021). The Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship Between Traumatic Distress and Yearning in Sudden and Unexpected Bereavement. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78(4), 559-569. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23233
Kim, B., & Lee, E. (2023). The Relationship Between Adult Attachment and Emotion Dysregulation in College Students: The Mediating Effects of Mentalization and Rejection Sensitivity. Korean Association for Learner-Centered Curriculum and Instruction, 23(10), 239-253. https://doi.org/10.22251/jlcci.2023.23.10.239
Kim, Y., & Lee, C. (2023). Relationship Between Socially Prescribed Perfectionism and Disordered Eating Behaviors: Emotion Dysregulation and Experiential Avoidance as Sequential Mediators. The Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 21, 14(2), 1339-1354. https://doi.org/10.22143/hss21.14.2.92
Ling, G., Kong, F., Liu, F., & Wang, X. (2023). Shyness and Adolescents’ Smartphone Addiction: Roles of Maladaptive Cognitive Emotion Regulation, Experiential Avoidance, and Online Social Support. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3403653/v1
Mann, A. M., Naugle, A. E., & Lieberman, E. (2022). Experiential Avoidance and Emotion Dysregulation as Mediators in the LGBTQ Minority Stress Model. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(7), 3443-3456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02376-7
Meydani, F. N., Vand, H. D. A., Abasi, I., & Noori, M. (2022). Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Severity of Relationship Obsessive -Compulsive Disorder Symptoms. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 28(03), 328-345. https://doi.org/10.32598/ijpcp.28.3.4175.1
Mikaeili, N., Narimani, M., & Marhamati, F. (2024). The Mediating Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation in the Relationship between Experiential Avoidance and Social Anxiety Symptoms in College Students: A Descriptive Study. RUMS_JOURNAL, 22(10), 1037-1052. https://doi.org/10.61186/jrums.22.10.1037
Munsamy, K., Walker, S., & McHugh, L. (2023). Repetitive Negative Thinking Mediates the Relationship Between Experiential Avoidance and Emotional Distress Among South African University Students. South African Journal of Psychology, 53(3), 377-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463231186340
Nazari, F., Gharraee, B., & Tajrishi, K. Z. (2023). Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation, Experiential Avoidance, and Rumination in the Relationship of Emotional Schemas With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 28(4), 466-479. https://doi.org/10.32598/ijpcp.28.4.4377.1
Ng, M. C. Y., Wang, I. Y., & Cheung, R. Y. M. (2024). Mindfulness and Attachment Security in Romantic Relationships: The Role of Emotion Regulation as a Mediator. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 42(1), 142-161. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241292561
Nikfallah, R., & Barekat, A. (2022). The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship Between Defense Mechanisms and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents. Journal of Applied Psychology, 16(1), 202-183. https://doi.org/10.52547/apsy.2021.223949.1166
Partridge, O., Maguire, T., & Newman‐Taylor, K. (2022). Pathways From Insecure Attachment to Paranoia: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 50(4), 404-417. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1352465822000029
Polizzi, C. P., & Lynn, S. J. (2024). Evaluating Dispositional Emotion-Related Factors in the Effect of Acceptance on Affect Reactivity: A Secondary Analysis of an Experimental Study. Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000416
Pourjafari, P., Sadek, M., Paramasivam, T., & Daros, A. R. (2025). Criterion Versus Construct Validity for the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale: Meta-Analytic Relationships With Dimensions of Psychopathology and Emotion Dysregulation. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/e537b_v1
Qasemnejad, S. M., Haqaiq, S. A., Jahaniyan, S., & Rezaei Jamalooei, H. (2021). Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Panic Symptoms in Women with Asthma. Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences, 29(6), 11-19. https://doi.org/10.52547/sjimu.29.6.11
Rodrigues, T. F., Ramos, R., Vaz, A., Brandão, I., Fernández‐Aranda, F., & Machado, P. P. P. (2022). The Mediating Role of Self‐criticism, Experiential Avoidance and Negative Urgency on the Relationship Between ED‐related Symptoms and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation. European Eating Disorders Review, 30(6), 760-771. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2914
Sanati, Y. (2024). Investigating the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on self-compassion and experiential avoidance in women who have experienced marital infidelity. Aftj, 5(2), 112-120. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.5.2.13
Seçer, İ., & Ulaş, S. (2020). An Investigation of the Effect of COVID-19 on OCD in Youth in the Context of Emotional Reactivity, Experiential Avoidance, Depression and Anxiety. International journal of mental health and addiction, 19(6), 2306-2319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00322-z
Shipp, L., Musatova, A., Černis, E., & Waite, P. (2022). The Relationship Between Dissociation and Panic Symptoms in Adolescence and the Exploration of Potential Mediators. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/jg7k4
Turton, H., Berry, K., Danquah, A., Green, J., & Pratt, D. (2022). An Investigation of Whether Emotion Regulation Mediates the Relationship Between Attachment Insecurity and Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 29(5), 1587-1598. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2735
Vidal, J., Ciudad-Fernández, V., Navarrete, J., Soler, J., Schmidt, C., Molinari, G., & Cebolla, A. (2024). From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion: Exploring the Mediating Role of Two Emotion Dysregulation Variables in Their Relationship to Depressive Symptoms. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06325-6
Wang, J., & Fang, S. (2024). The Mechanism Behind Mother’s Negative Parenting Style on College Students’ Emotional Health. Psychologia. https://doi.org/10.2117/psysoc.2022-a207
Zheng, H., Cai, Y., Liu, L., & Peng, B. (2024). The Effect of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Depressive Symptoms in Female College Students: A Serial Mediation Model. Frontiers in psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1306122
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
