Citation

Hayes SC, Wilson KG, Gifford EV, Follette VM, Strosahl K. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 1996; 64(6): 1152-1168.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno 89557-0062, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8991302

Abstract

Syndromal classification is a well-developed diagnostic system but has failed to deliver on its promise of the identification of functional pathological processes. Functional analysis is tightly connected to treatment but has failed to develop testable, replicable classification systems. Functional diagnostic dimensions are suggested as a way to develop the functional classification approach, and experiential avoidance is described as 1 such dimension. A wide range of research is reviewed showing that many forms of psychopathology can be conceptualized as unhealthy efforts to escape and avoid emotions, thoughts, memories, and other private experiences. It is argued that experiential avoidance, as a functional diagnostic dimension, has the potential to integrate the efforts and findings of researchers from a wide variety of theoretical paradigms, research interests, and clinical domains and to lead to testable new approaches to the analysis and treatment of behavioral disorders.

Language: en