Jennifer Waltz

Mindfulness and experiential avoidance as predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder avoidance symptom severity

Mindfulness reflects an awareness of present moment experiences through an attitude of acceptance and openness (Bishop et al., 2004; Cardaciotto, Herbert, Forman, Moitra, & Farrow, 2008). Experiential avoidance, by contrast, refers to attempts to change, alter, or avoid private experiences (e.g., thoughts, feelings, sensations), and it is believed to underlie a number of psychopathologies, including PTSD (Hayes, Wilson, Gifford, Follette, & Strosahl, 1996). We were interested in the ability of mindfulness to predict the variance of PTSD avoidance symptom severity above and beyond experiential avoidance. 378 introductory psychology students were administered self-report measures of PTSD, mindfulness, experiential avoidance, thought suppression, alexithymia, and avoidant coping. Mindfulness, specifically nonjudgment of experiences, accounted for a unique portion of the variance in PTSD avoidance symptoms.

Self-Compassion and PTSD Symptom Severity

Neffs (2003a, 2003b) notion of self-compassion emphasizes kindness towards ones self, a feeling of connectedness with others, and mindful awareness of distressing experiences. Because exposure to trauma and subsequent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PSS) may be associated with self-criticism and avoidance of internal experiences, the authors examined the relationship between self-compassion and PSS. Out of a sample of 210 university students, 100 endorsed experiencing a Criterion A trauma. Avoidance symptoms significantly correlated with self-compassion, but reexperiencing and hyperarousal did not. Individuals high in self-compassion may engage in less avoidance strategies following trauma exposure, allowing for a natural exposure process.

Subclinical Self‐Harm: Range of Behaviors, Extent, and Associated Characteristics

This study examined characteristics associated with mildly injurious (fingernail biting, skin picking, etc.) and more injurious (cutting, burning, etc.) self-harm (SH) in an undergraduate sample (N = 280); 31% reported mildly injurious SH within the past 3 years with no more injurious SH, whereas 20% reported more injurious SH within the past 3 years. SH was not associated with significant general negative affect or history of physical or sexual abuse, although more injurious SH was associated with a history of emotional abuse. A portion of both groups reported negative affect regarding their histories of SH. Both types of SH were associated with other impulsive and disordered eating behaviors, some obsessive-compulsive characteristics, and more somatic symptoms. Similarities and differences with clinical SH are discussed, as well as implications for further research and treatment. Arguments for and against a continuum view of self-harm, as ranging from mild to severe in injuriousness or clinical significance, are also discussed.

FAP and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

This chapter explores the intersections of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP; Kohlenberg & Tsai, 1991; Tsai et al., 2009 ) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993a, 1993b ) with a focus on how training and experience with each model can enhance work with the other.

Demand-Withdraw Communication in Couples: An Attachment Perspective

ABSTRACT Research has demonstrated that a difference between partners in desired level of intimacy appears to be a factor in the development of the problematic demand-withdraw communication pattern. Generally, such research has taken an individual approach, exploring one partners desires and preferences, rather than examining the couple as the unit of analysis. Prior to the current study, demand-withdraw communication had not been explored from the perspective of adult attachment, particularly a couples specific attachment style pairing. To examine the possible connection between attachment styles in couples and demand-withdraw communication, we asked 147 couples to complete self-report measures of attachment style, discrepancy in desired intimacy, and demand-withdraw communication. Results suggest that compared with securely attached couples, insecure and mixed couples (in which one or both partners are insecurely attached) exhibit high discrepancies in desired level of intimacy and high levels of demand-withdraw communication. Implications for couple therapy, attachment theory, and understanding demand-withdraw communication are discussed.

Functional Analysis of Borderline Personality Disorder Behavioral Criterion Patterns

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), as an entity, has a history of being associated with a wide-ranging set of diagnostic criteria and symptoms. A variety of theories, primarily psychodynamic, have attempted to explain the interpersonal and self-related difficulties clients with BPD experience (Gunderson, 1984; Kernberg, 1975). Linehan’s (1993) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and her formulation of BPD are centrally informed by a behavioral model. DBT seeks to understand the behavior of people meeting criteria for BPD using a functional analytic approach. Although frequently confusing and self-destructive, the behavior of individuals with BPD is viewed as following the same behavioral principles that govern all behavior, and particular emphasis is placed on understanding the behavior within the context.