Aproximación desde el análisis discriminante al rol de la fusión, la evitación experiencial, el pensamiento negativo repetitivo y los valores en la predicción de problemas clínicos

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the role of four interrelated core behavioral patterns related to psychological distress, framed under the term psychological inflexibility by the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, in predicting clinical problems related to anxiety, depression and stress. To attempt said purpose a study based on discriminant analysis was conducted using a total sample of 372 participants. A series of psychometric instruments were employed to subdivide the total sample in clinical and non-clinical groups, and to assess each pattern. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire Argentine Version, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire -Argentina Version, Pennsylvania State Worry Questionnaire, and Valuing Questionnaire. The results suggest a complex inflexibility pattern in the case of depression, in which every measure of core behavioral pattern proved relevant in the task of discriminating clinical from non-clinical cases, with strong emphasis on the role of Experiential avoidance and values measures. On the other hand, strong similarities were found in the stress and anxiety models, characterized by a similar pattern in which Cognitive fusion and Worry measures demonstrated greater relevance, leaving the rest of the measures out of the discriminant function.