Experiential Avoidance as a mediator in the relation of Social Fear with Depression, Anxiety, and Alexithymia

Objective: the present study was aimed to test a model in which Experiential Avoidance mediates the relation of Social Fear with Depression, Anxiety, and Alexithymia. Methods: participants included undergraduate students and non-student adults (N=163, males and females, age: 18-65 years). Measures of Social Fear (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale), Experiential Avoidance (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire), Depression and Anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and Alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale) were obtained from standardised, self-administered questionnaires. Regression analyses were performed to test for mediational models. Results: the results showed that Social Fear significantly predicted Experiential Avoidance, Depression, Anxiety, and Alexithymia. Moreover, the effect of Social Fear on Depression, Anxiety, and Alexithymia was not significant anymore or was strongly reduced when controlling for Experiential Avoidance scores, whereas the latter still predicted Depression, Anxiety, and Alexithymia. Conclusion: Experiential Avoidance either fully or partially mediated the relation of Social Fear with Depression, Anxiety, and Alexithymia.