Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition – Chinese Version

Description

In the past two decades, the “third wave” of cognitive-behavioral therapy has gained significant attention from scholars, particularly concerning Hayes’s (1996) concept of experiential avoidance (EA) as a risk factor for psychological pathology. EA refers to the attempts of individuals to alter the form, frequency, or sensitivity of their internal experiences (such as thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations), even when doing so leads to actions inconsistent with their personal values or goals. Most psychological therapies acknowledge the role of EA in psychological issues, including psychodynamic therapy, person-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, and existential therapy. Acceptance is viewed as an alternative to EA, signifying not merely tolerance but an active, non-judgmental embracing of past experiences and present sensations, allowing space for painful feelings, impulses, and emotions without resisting, controlling, or avoiding them, instead observing them as objects.

Numerous studies have shown that reducing EA and increasing acceptance are crucial processes in enhancing psychological health through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition (AAQ-II) serves as the primary tool for assessing EA, achieving good psychometric indicators among groups such as college students, bank employees, finance practitioners, individuals with social anxiety, and those with chronic pain. Scored on a scale of 1 (never) to 7 (always), the total score from seven items indicates the level of experiential avoidance, with higher scores reflecting greater avoidance. However, the AAQ was primarily developed based on a psychological pathology model, potentially making it less suitable for general situations of experiential avoidance, as it neglects measurements related to avoidance of bodily sensations. Wolgast (2014) argues that the AAQ primarily measures emotional and cognitive suffering rather than the avoidance of such experiences. Other researchers have also expressed concerns about the structural validity of the AAQ, suggesting it may not be an optimal tool for assessing experiential avoidance.

Authors and Contact Email

Cao Jing, Ji Yang, Zhu Zhuohong. Email contact information not available.

Purpose

To assess experiential avoidance in various populations and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition (AAQ-II).

Test Year

2022

Administration Method and Scoring

The AAQ-II uses a Likert scale where respondents rate their agreement with various statements from 1 (从未) to 7 (总是). The total score is obtained by summing the responses to the seven items.

Reliability and Validity

The AAQ-II demonstrates good psychometric indicators in several groups, including college students, bank employees, finance practitioners, those with social anxiety, and chronic pain sufferers.

Factors and Subscales

Information not available.

Keywords

Experiential Avoidance, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Psychological Pathology.

Items in Chinese

1. 痛苦的经历使我难以过上理想的生活。
2. 某些感受让我感到害怕。
3. 我担心控制不了自己的忧虑和感受。
4. 痛苦的记忆破坏了我愉快的生活。
5. 情绪扰乱了我的生活。
6. 大多数人似乎比我更能应对生活。
7. 瞻前顾后阻碍了我的成功。

Items in English

1. Painful experiences make it difficult for me to lead the ideal life.
2. Certain feelings make me feel scared.
3. I worry that I cannot control my worries and feelings.
4. Painful memories disrupt my pleasant life.
5. Emotions disturb my life.
6. Most people seem to cope with life better than I do.
7. Dwelling on the past hinders my success.

References

曹静, 吉阳, 祝卓宏. 接纳与行动问卷第二版中文版测评大学生的信效度[J]. 2022(11).
肖前国. 正念自我的理论建构与实证研究[D]. 内蒙古师范大学.