Experiential Avoidance in Primary Care Providers: Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian "Acceptance and Action Questionnaire" (AAQ-II) and Its Criterion Validity on Mood Disorder-Related Psychological Distress.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Berta-Otero, Tatiana Barceló-Soler, Alberto Montero-Marin, Jesus Maloney, Shannon Pérez-Aranda, Adrián López-Montoyo, Alba Salvo, Vera Sussumu, Marcio García-Campayo, Javier Demarzo, Marcelo
Editor	Tchounwou, Paul B.
Copyright Year	2022
Abstract	Background A sizeable proportion of Brazilian Primary Care (PC) providers suffer from common mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In an effort to cope with job-related distress, PC workers are likely to implement maladaptive strategies such as experiential avoidance (EA). The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) is a widely used instrument that evaluates EA but has shown questionable internal consistency in specific populations. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the AAQ-II among Brazilian PC providers, evaluates its convergence and divergence with self-criticism and mindfulness skills, and explores its criterion validity on anxiety and depressive symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional design was conducted in Brazilian PC services, and the sample included 407 PC workers. The measures evaluated EA, self-criticism, mindfulness, depression, and anxiety. Results The one-factor model of the AAQ-II replicated the original version structure. The AAQ-II presented good internal consistency among Brazilian PC providers. A multiple regression model demonstrated higher relationships with self-criticism than mindfulness skills. The criterion validity of the AAQ-II on anxiety and depression was stronger in the context of more severe symptoms. Conclusions The AAQ-II is an appropriate questionnaire to measure the lack of psychological flexibility among Brazilian PC workers in the sense of EA.
ISSN	16617827
Journal	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [Int J Environ Res Public Health]
Volume Number	20
DOI	10.3390/ijerph20010225
PubMed Central reference number	PMC9819638
Issue Number	1
PubMed reference number	36612546
e-ISSN	16604601
Language	English
Publisher	Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)
Publisher Date	2022-12-23
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	AAQ-II primary care providers psychological flexibility experiential avoidance self-criticism mindfulness anxiety depression
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis Pollution Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health