Mediation Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship Between Subjective Vitality and Depression

Abstract

Depression is a mental disorder characterized primarily by depressed mood, loss of interest and pleasure. A decrease in subjective vitality is seen as one of symptoms of depression. Depressive persons tend to seal themselves off, keeping away from stressful states and taking the minimum level of action when faced with a stressful situation. Experiential avoidance behavior which individuals do to protect themselves from sad thoughts and situations causes an increase in depressive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate mediation role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between subjective vitality and depression. Data was collected as an online questionnaire in university students’ online classrooms. Instruments used in research were Subjective Vitality Scale (to measure preservice teachers’ subjective vitality), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (to measure their experiential avoidance), and depression subscale of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (to measure their depression levels). Research group was composed of 463 participants. Negative significant relationships were observed between depression and subjective vitality, and subjective vitality and experiential avoidance. In other words, depression and experiential avoidance were reduced as subjective vitality increased. Moreover, there was a significant positive relationship between depression and experiential avoidance. It is seen that subjective vitality affects depression (direct effect) is significant and it constitutes 64.5% of total effect. In addition, subjective vitality predicts depression (indirect effect) through experiential avoidance and it constitutes 35.5% of total effect. The interaction of experiential avoidance between subjective vitality and depressive symptoms was found. Subjective vitality and experiential avoidance predicted depressive symptoms.