Regulatory Focus Theory and experiential avoidance: Examining relationships between focus strategies, treatment attitudes, and values
Project Abstract
Regulatory focus theory involves contrasting motivations—promotion focus, motivated by achievement of positive experiences; and prevention focus, motivated to avoid negative outcomes (Park, Swift & Penix, 2019). There are strong connections between prevention focus and experiential avoidance, and individuals high in experiential avoidance are less likely to behave in line with personal values, which is linked with psychological distress and negative attitudes toward mental health services (Chawla & Osta, 2007; Masuda et al., 2017; Smout et al., 2014).
The current study analyzes focus strategies in relation to valued living, psychological distress, and attitudes toward seeking mental health services. Additionally, previous experiences with psychotherapy were examined in relation to focus strategies. Prevention focus was expected to be negatively related to attitudes toward mental health services, with psychological distress as a moderator. Promotion focus was hypothesized to be positively related with valued living. Participants were undergraduate students (N = 129).
The linear regression model for prevention focus and distress was significant, and distress was the greatest predictor of attitudes toward mental health services, though not a moderator, F (3, 125) = 5.01, p < 0.03, r2 = 0.11. Prevention focus related to negative attitudes toward mental health services, while promotion strategies correlated with value-aligned living and less psychological distress. Additionally, prevention focus was related with more past experience with psychotherapy (Chawla & Osta, 2007; Masuda et al., 2017). Further research is needed on factors relating to attitudes toward mental health services and how this impacts who needs and will receive treatment.
Conference
Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science; Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. June 24-27, 2021. https://contextualscience.org/2021_virtual_world_conference
Funding Type
Travel Grant
Academic College
College of Humanities and Fine Arts
Area/Major/Minor
Psychology/Sociology
Degree
BS
Classification
Senior
Name
Michael Bordieri, PhD
Academic College
College of Humanities and Fine Arts
Recommended Citation
Brewington, Morgan, "Regulatory Focus Theory and experiential avoidance: Examining relationships between focus strategies, treatment attitudes, and values" (2020). ORCA Travel & Research Grants. 89.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/orcagrants/89