Mediator role of experiential avoidance in relationship of perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health

ABSTRACT

This cross-sectional study investigated the mediatory role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health. We enrolled 440 students [age 18-30 years] at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences through stratified random sampling method. The study tools were demographic checklist, GHQ-28, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analysed by SPSS-18 and AMOS-18 using Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling [SEM]. There was a significant positive correlation between perceived stress and experiential avoidance, and alexithymia and mental health problems [P < 0.001]. SEM showed that the relationship between perceived stress and mental health problems by experiential avoidance was 0.19 [[beta = 0.19; standard error [SE] = 0.09; P = 0.001], and the relationship between alexithymia and mental health problems through experiential avoidance was 0.09 [beta = 0.09; SE = 0.43; P = 0.01]. The mediatory role of experiential avoidance was confirmed in such a way that the effects of alexithymia and perceived stress decreased