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Experiential Avoidance as a Mediator of Risk Factors for Higher Order Internalizing Psychopathology in the Perinatal Period
  • Lily J. Jiang,
  • Michelle L. Miller,
  • Michael O'Hara
Lily J. Jiang
Indiana University Bloomington

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Michelle L. Miller
The University of Iowa
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Michael O'Hara
The University of Iowa
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Abstract

Objectives: Perinatal psychopathology can be damaging. This study examined the strength of the associations between risk factors and all perinatal mood and anxiety disorder symptoms while assessing the mediating effect of experiential avoidance. Method: Participants ( N =246) completed assessments during pregnancy (28-32 weeks) and the postpartum (6-8 weeks). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine associations between risk factors and latent factors: Distress (composed of depression, generalized anxiety, irritability, and panic symptoms); Fear (social anxiety, agoraphobia, specific phobia, and obsessive-compulsive); and Bipolar (mania and obsessive-compulsive). Results: During pregnancy, past psychiatric history, anxiety sensitivity, maladaptive coping, and age were significant risk factors. In the postpartum, negative maternal attitudes and past psychiatric history were only risk factors for symptoms that composed Distress. Experiential avoidance mediated the relation between maladaptive coping and symptoms that composed Fear. Conclusion: It is important to assess for psychological risk factors starting in pregnancy. This study identified critical risk factors that are associated with the underlying commonality among perinatal mood and anxiety symptoms. Some of the risk factors as well as the mediator are malleable (negative maternal attitudes, experiential avoidance), creating new possibilities for prevention and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder symptoms.
10 Apr 2023Submitted to Journal of Clinical Psychology
10 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
10 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
04 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 May 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Jun 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
18 Aug 20231st Revision Received
18 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
18 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
18 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
05 Nov 20232nd Revision Received
11 Nov 2023Assigned to Editor
11 Nov 2023Submission Checks Completed
11 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Nov 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned