The role of experiential avoidance, psychopathology, and borderline personality features in experiencing positive emotions: A path analysis

Background and objectivesExperiential avoidance (EA) is an important factor in maintaining different forms of psychopathology including borderline personality pathology (BPD). So far little is known about the functions of EA, BPD features and general psychopathology for positive emotions. In this study we investigated three different anticipated pathways of their influence on positive emotions.MethodsA total of 334 subjects varying in general psychopathology &/or BPD features completed an online survey including self-ratings of BPD features, psychopathology, negative and positive emotions, and EA. Measures of positive emotions included both a general self-rating (PANAS) and emotional changes induced by two positive movie clips. Data were analyzed by means of path analysis.ResultsIn comparing the three path models, one model was found clearly superior: In this model, EA acts as a mediator of the influence of psychopathology, BPD features, and negative emotions in the prediction of both measures of positive emotions.DiscussionEA plays a central role in maintaining lack of positive emotions. Therapeutic implications and study limitations are discussed.

► Lack of positive affect and Experiential Avoidance (EA) may be important in maintaining borderline features.
► EA mediates the influence of psychopathology, borderline features, and negative emotions on positive affect.
► Increasing positive emotions might be important in the treatment of borderline features.