The mediator role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between perceived stress and somatic symptoms

Year 2024, , 255 - 261, 25.09.2024

Erinç Erbildim

https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.24.3.07

Abstract

Introduction: Experiential avoidance is a coping strategy which is adopted so often when dealing with unwanted internal experiences such as emotions, thoughts and memories. Experiential avoidance is associated with mental disorders such as depression and PTSD as well as manifestation of somatic symptoms despite of providing short-term relief. This study aimed to explore the mediator role of experiential avoidance in relationship between perceived stress and somatic symptoms.
Methods: Data was collected from 371 participants who filled the survey on online platforms. The survey consisted of demographic form and scales for experiential avoidance, perceived stress and somatic symptoms.
Results: According to the research analysis, it was revealed that experiential avoidance has a mediator role in relationship between perceived stress and somatic symptoms intensity. Furthermore, three variables have been found significantly correlated with each other.
Conclusion: Experiential avoidance as a coping strategy with perceived stress is a mediator for manifestation of somatic symptoms burden. The results will guide mental health professionals and individuals with chronic somatic symptom burden such as headaches, dizziness and fibromyalgia to adopt more acceptance based strategies in dealing with stressful situations.

Keywords

perceived stress, experiential avoidance, somatic symptoms, mindfulness, fibromyalgia

Algılanan stres ve somatik semptomlar arasındaki ilişkide deneyimsel kaçınmanın aracı rolü.

Abstract

Giriş: Deneyimsel kaçınma; duygu, düşünce ve anılar gibi istenmeyen içsel deneyimlerle uğraşırken sıklıkla benimsenen bir başa çıkma stratejisidir. Deneyimsel kaçınma, kısa süreli rahatlama sağlamasına rağmen, depresyon ve TSSB gibi zihinsel bozuklukların yanı sıra bedensel semptomların ortaya çıkmasıyla da ilişkilidir. Bu çalışma, algılanan stres ile bedensel belirtiler arasındaki ilişkide deneyimsel kaçınmanın aracı rolünü araştırmayı amaçlamıştır.
Yöntem: Hazırlanan anketi çevrimiçi platformlarda dolduran 371 katılımcıdan veri elde edilmiştir. Anket, deneyimsel kaçınma, algılanan stres ve bedensel semptomlara yönelik ölçekler ve demografik formdan oluşmaktadır.
Bulgular: Araştırma analizine göre, algılanan stres ile bedensel belirtilerin yoğunluğu arasındaki ilişkide deneyimsel kaçınmanın aracı rolü olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Ayrıca üç değişkenin birbiriyle anlamlı düzeyde ilişkili olduğu bulunmuştur.
Sonuç: Algılanan stresle başa çıkma stratejisi olarak deneyimsel kaçınma, somatik semptomların ortaya çıkmasında aracıdır. Sonuçlar, ruh sağlığı uzmanlarına ve baş ağrısı, baş dönmesi ve fibromiyalji gibi kronik somatik semptom yüküne sahip bireylere, stresli durumlarla başa çıkmada daha kabule dayalı stratejiler benimseme konusunda rehberlik edecektir.

Keywords

stres, deneyimsel kaçınma, somatik semptom, mindfulness, fibromiyalji

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