Comparing Experiential Avoidance in Depressed and Non-Depressed Individuals: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

This study aimed to compare levels of experiential avoidance between non-depressed and depressed individuals in Jordan. The sample consisted of 104 individuals previously diagnosed with depression from official Jordanian hospitals and 594 non-depressed adults, including university students, teachers, and members of the general population. The total sample had a female representation of 63%. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires, including the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ) to measure experiential avoidance, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for assessing depressive symptoms. An Independent-Samples t-test and one-way MANOVA were employed to analyze the data and compare the means of experiential avoidance dimensions between the two groups. The results indicated that depressed individuals exhibited higher levels of experiential avoidance across most dimensions compared to their non-depressed counterparts. Specifically, behavioral avoidance, aversion to distress, procrastination, and repression and denial were significantly higher in the depressed group. No significant difference was found in distraction and suppression, while non-depressed individuals reported slightly higher levels of distress intolerance. These findings suggest that experiential avoidance is a significant feature of depression, contributing to its maintenance and exacerbation. This research underscores the importance of addressing experiential avoidance in therapeutic settings to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with depression.