Evaluating Mechanisms: Mapping Weekly Dynamics between Experiential Avoidance and SAD Symptoms

Abstract Widely-used, empirically-supported treatments focus on reducing experiential avoidance (EA) as a mechanism of social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptom change. However, little is known about how EA and SAD symptoms bidirectionally interrelate from session to session, or throughout the course an intervention—a gap that raises significant theoretical clinical questions mechanistic role EA. Participants ( N = 78) with elevated completed 3-session pilot intervention (Approach-Avoidance Task training plus psychoeducation) designed target Bivariate latent change score modeling was then used map bidirectional, temporal interrelationships between session. Analyses accounted for overall trajectory in both variables (i.e., SAD) variables’ preceding measurement. Findings suggested changes preceded predicted Contrary hypotheses, this effect not did precede predict The use relatively small analogue sample limit external validity present findings. Nevertheless, these novel findings advance our understanding dynamic treatment. Moreover, given many leading EA, study highlights need future work continue evaluating whether indeed