The influence of response effectiveness on the preference for warning and on psychophysiological stress reactions<sup>1</sup>

Averill, James R.; O'Brien, Lawrence J.; DeWitt, Gary W.

doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1977.tb00160.x

Cited by 54 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Individuals frequently attempt to avoid unpleasant feelings when faced with stressful situations (Averill, O’Brien, & DeWitt, 1977; Averill & Rosenn, 1972; Folkman & Lazarus, 1980; Roemer, Litz, Orsillo, &Wagner, 2001). While this approach may seem intuitively appealing, mindfulness and acceptance-based theories as well as recent evidence suggest that it might not be helpful.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Let it be: Accepting negative emotional experiences predicts decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms

Shallcross

Troy

Boland

et al. 2010

Behaviour Research and Therapy

151

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The present studies examined whether a tendency to accept negative emotional experiences buffers individuals from experiencing elevated negative affect during negative emotional situations (Study 1) and from developing depressive symptoms in the face of life stress (Study 2). Both studies examined female samples. This research expands on existing acceptance research in four ways. First, it examined whether acceptance has beneficial correlates when it matters most: in emotionally taxing (versus more neutral) contexts. Second, in Study 2 a prospective design was used in which acceptance was measured before stress was encountered and before outcomes were measured. Third, depressive symptoms (rather than general functioning or trauma symptoms) were examined as a particularly relevant outcome in the context of stress. Fourth, to enhance generalizability, a community sample (versus undergraduates or a purely clinical sample) was recruited. Results indicated that acceptance was correlated with decreased negative affect during a negative emotion induction but not an affectively neutral condition (Study 1). In Study 2, acceptance interacted with life stress such that acceptance predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms after higher, but not lower, life stress. These results suggest that accepting negative experiences may protect individuals from experiencing negative affect and from developing depressive symptoms. KeywordsAcceptance; Negative affect; Stress; Depressive symptoms Individuals frequently attempt to avoid unpleasant feelings when faced with stressful situations (Averill, O'Brien, & DeWitt, 1977;Averill & Rosenn, 1972;Folkman & Lazarus, 1980;Roemer, Litz, Orsillo, &Wagner, 2001). While this approach may seem intuitively appealing, mindfulness and acceptance-based theories as well as recent evidence suggest that it might not be helpful. In fact, it might even be harmful in that, paradoxically, accepting (versus avoiding) negative emotions may be associated with lower levels of negative affect (Campbell-Sills, Barlow, Brown, & Hofmann, 2006a;Kashdan, Barrios, Forsyth, & Steger, 2006) and decreased depressive symptoms (Kashdan, Morina, & Priebe, 2009).The present research examines this hypothesis. Theoretical considerations as well as empirical evidence that support that acceptance has beneficial effects are reviewed. Limitations of the relevant literature are highlighted, and two empirical studies are presented that were aimed at addressing these limitations. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptThe beneficial effects of accepting negative emotional experiences Experiential acceptance is conceptualized as a willingness to non-judgmentally remain in contact with aversive experiences, including negative emotions (Hayes, Wilson, Gifford, Follette, & Strosahl, 1996). Acceptance falls on a continuum with experiential avoidance, with higher levels of experiential avoidance reflecting less willingness to experience negative emotions (Boelen & Reijntjes, 2008;Hayes, Jacob...

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confidence: 99%

Let it be: Accepting negative emotional experiences predicts decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms

Shallcross

Troy

Boland

et al. 2010

Behaviour Research and Therapy

151

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“…This meant that predictions about Type A and control seeking were effectively confirmed only for the female subjects in the sample. Comparable seemingly irrational behaviour by male subjects has been reported before in a very similar experimental situation (Averill, O'Brien & DeWitt, 1977). The possibility arises that such subjects may have been trying to show superordinate control over the situation and the experimenter by not doing what was expected of them.…”

Section: Type a And The Need To Be In Controlmentioning

confidence: 77%

Type A behaviour and coronary heart disease: When will the jury return?

Evans

1990

British J of Psychology

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“…The laboratory paradigm pioneered by Averill (e.g. Averill & Rosen, 1972;Averill et al, 1977;Miller, 1979a) would seem a particularly promising one in this respect, and with modifications is used in the research reported here.…”

Section: Evans and Joan M Fearnmentioning

confidence: 98%

Type A behaviour pattern, choice of active coping strategy and cardiovascular activity in relation to threat of shock

Evans¹,

Fearn²

1985

British Journal of Medical Psychology

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Thirty-three subjects were allowed to choose between actively monitoring a visual channel for warning of a possible aversive event, or passively watching a distracting visual channel. Subjects could switch between channels as little or as often as they wished. Heart-rate was recorded throughout the experiment. In accordance with hypothesis, Type A subjects, as measured by the Framingham Scale, chose the active coping strategy more consistently than Type B subjects. Type A subjects also exhibited higher heart-rate while anticipating the start of the experiment. The results are discussed with reference to the literature on Type A and controllability and on active coping and cardiovascular activity.

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The influence of response effectiveness on the preference for warning and on psychophysiological stress reactions¹

Cited by 54 publications

References 17 publications

Let it be: Accepting negative emotional experiences predicts decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms

Let it be: Accepting negative emotional experiences predicts decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms

Type A behaviour and coronary heart disease: When will the jury return?

Type A behaviour pattern, choice of active coping strategy and cardiovascular activity in relation to threat of shock

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The influence of response effectiveness on the preference for warning and on psychophysiological stress reactions1

Cited by 54 publications

References 17 publications

Let it be: Accepting negative emotional experiences predicts decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms

Let it be: Accepting negative emotional experiences predicts decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms

Type A behaviour and coronary heart disease: When will the jury return?

Type A behaviour pattern, choice of active coping strategy and cardiovascular activity in relation to threat of shock

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Product

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The influence of response effectiveness on the preference for warning and on psychophysiological stress reactions¹