An examination of the relationship of rumination and thought action fusion with experiential avoidance

The aim of this research is to examine the relationships between experiential avoidance, rumination and thought action fusion and to investigate rumination and thought action fusion as predictors of experiential avoidance among university students. Participants were 806 undergraduate students (525 female and 281 male) attending the different major fields at 12 faculties in Çukurova University. The respondents are recruited from 1st (283 students), 2nd (155 students), 3rd (229 students) and 4th (139 students) level of classes. The data about experiential avoidance was gathered using the Acceptance and Action Qustionnaire-II (AAQ-II) which was developed by Bond, Hayes, Baer, Carpenter, Guenole and Orcutt (2011) and adopted to Turkish by Yavuz, Iskin, Ulusoy, Esen and Burhan (2016). The data about the rumination was gathered using the Short Version of Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) which was developed by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1991) and adopted to Turkish by Erdur-Baker and Bugay (2012). The data about thought action fusion was gathered using the Thought-Aciton Fusion Scale (TAFS) which was developed by Shafran, Thordarson and Rachman (1996) and adopted to Turkish by Yorulmaz, Yılmaz and Gençöz (2004). The data obtained in the study were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 statistical software. Before the analysis of the data started, outliers that would disturb normality and linearity were determined by Mahalanobis distance values. The extreme values were removed in the data analysis. Data was analyzed by using Pearson Product-Moments Correlation Coefficient, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and Stepwise Method techniques. As a result; experiential avoidance was positively and significantly correlated with brooding, reflection, likelihood and morality. Brooding, reflection and likelihood significantly predicted experiential avoidance among university. Brooding was the most significant predictor for experiential avoidance. Morality was not significant predictor for experiential avoidance. The results of the research were interpreted and discussed in the light of the studies in the literature; for practice and future researchs were suggested based on the research findings. Keywords: Experiential avoidance, rumination, thought action fusion.