Understanding the Relationships Between Self-Esteem, Experiential Avoidance, and Paranoia Structural Equation Modelling and Experience Sampling Studies

作者：Udachina Alisa^*; Thewissen Viviane; Myin Germeys Inez; Fitzpatrick Sam; O'Kane Aisling; Bentall Richard P

来源：Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 2009, 197(9): 661-668.

DOI：10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181b3b2ef

• Paranoia
• experiential avoidance
• self-esteem
• structural equation
• experience sampling method

Hypothesized relationships between experiential avoidance (EA), self-esteem, and paranoia were tested using structural equation modeling in a sample of student participants (N = 427.). EA in everyday life was also investigated using the Experience Sampling Method in a subsample of Students scoring high (N = 17) and low (N = 15) on paranoia. Results showed that paranoid students had lower self-esteem and reported higher levels of EA than nonparanoid participants. The interactive influence of EA and stress predicted negative self-esteem: EA was particularly damaging at high levels of stress. Greater EA and higher social stress independently predicted lower positive self-esteem. Low positive self-esteem predicted engagement in EA. A direct association between EA and paranoia was also found. These results suggest that similar mechanisms may underlie EA and thought suppression. Although people may employ EA to regulate self-esteem, this strategy is maladaptive as it damages self-esteem, incurs cognitive costs, and fosters paranoid thinking.

• 出版日期2009-9