An Examination of the Reciprocal Relationship Between Avoidance Coping and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Grant, DeMond M.; Wingate, LaRicka R.; Rasmussen, Kathy A.; Davidson, Collin L.; Slish, Meredith L.; Rhoades-Kerswill, Sarah; Mills, Adam C.; Judah, Matt R.

doi:10.1521/jscp.2013.32.8.878

Cited by 50 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…As hypothesized, we found that both emotional avoidance and distraction during meals predicted higher bulimic symptoms 1 month later. These results are consistent with prior findings suggesting that avoidance coping predicts worsening symptoms in depression and anxiety disorders (Grant et al, ). Interestingly, avoidance coping did not predict changes in drive for thinness or body dissatisfaction.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Avoidance coping during mealtimes predicts higher eating disorder symptoms

Vanzhula

Sala

Christian

et al. 2020

Intl J Eating Disorders

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Objective: Eating disorders (EDs) are characterized by significant anxiety during mealtime that contributes to food avoidance and weight loss. Individuals with EDs commonly use avoidance coping (e.g., distraction) to tolerate meals and comply with meal plans.Although this strategy may be effective short term, a large body of anxiety literature suggests that avoidance can lead to worsening of psychological symptoms long term.Method: The current study (N = 66 individuals diagnosed with ED) used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the short-term and long-term associations of avoidance coping on ED symptoms.Results: Distraction during meals predicted a reduction in anxiety in the short term, and both distraction and avoidance of emotions predicted increases in excessive exercise in the short term. Distraction and avoidance of emotions predicted increases in bulimic symptoms 1 month after completion of EMA.Discussion: These results are consistent with prior literature on avoidance and suggest that avoidance coping during meals may contribute to the increase of ED behaviors in the long term. Coping strategies that encourage approach and tolerance of difficult thoughts and emotions (e.g., acceptance-based strategies) rather that avoidance coping may promote longer-term symptom reduction. K E Y W O R D S anxiety, avoidance, eating disorders

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Avoidance coping during mealtimes predicts higher eating disorder symptoms

Vanzhula

Sala

Christian

et al. 2020

Intl J Eating Disorders

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“…Because cognitive, behavioral, and emotional avoidance strategies ultimately exacerbate psychological problems (Grant et al, 2013), higher levels of attachment avoidance should be expected to correlate with greater levels of psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and eating concerns (Paths A8-A10 and A12). In addition, individuals with more avoidant attachment orientations tend to be viewed as cold and interpersonally hostile (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991), suggesting a logical path (A12) between attachment avoidance and hostility.…”

Section: Adult Attachment and College Student Psychological Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adult Attachment Dimensions and College Student Distress

McDermott

Cheng

Wright

et al. 2015

The Counseling Psychologist

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The present investigation examined dispositional hope as a psychological strength that mediates the associations between adult attachment dimensions and seven commonly assessed college student psychological symptoms, as measured by the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 (CCAPS-62): depression, eating concerns, substance use, generalized anxiety, hostility, social anxiety, and academic distress. Structural equation modeling of data obtained from students at a large Midwestern university (N = 2,644) revealed that (a) adult attachment dimensions were positively associated with CCAPS-62 domains and negatively associated with hope, (b) hope was negatively associated with all seven CCAPS-62 domains with the exception of substance use, and (c) hope mediated the associations between attachment dimensions and all seven CCAPS-62 psychological symptoms, with the exception of substance use. Findings suggest that addressing adult attachment-driven automatic views of self and others may have important implications for hopeful thinking as well as for counseling intervention and prevention of college student psychological distress.

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“…A study showed that abortion-specific self-efficacy partly mediated the relationship between pre-and postabortion depression [20]. Depression and anxiety may also be reciprocally related to avoidance coping [21]. Even though most reviews conclude that abortion itself does not predict MDs [17,19,22], women with a history of MDs might experience more stress around the abortion, which in turn might increase the likelihood or timing of recurrence of the disorder; in particular when prior mental health problems are associated with increased levels of stress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%