The mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between Alexithymia and emotion regulation in patients with major depression disorder after traumatic brain injury

Introduction: Emotional problems are among the most common traumatic brain injury consequences that are associated with major depression after traumatic brain injury. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between alexithymia and emotion regulation in patients with major depression disorder after traumatic brain injury. Method: This descriptive-correlational study was performed on 60 patients with traumatic brain injury diagnosed with major depression disorder and treated in Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan. Data were collected using second version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (Bond & et al, 2011), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Bagby, Parker & Taylor, 1994) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation scale (Gratz & Roemer, 2004) and analysis was performed using Pearson correlation test and Celsius regression analysis. Results: The findings of the study showed a significant relationship between alexithymia, emotion regulation and experiential avoidance (P<0.01) and experiential avoidance plays a role of partial interfaces in the relationship between alexithymia and difficulty in emotion regulation (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, change in experiential avoidance leads to a change in alexithymia and emotion regulation. This study paves the way for using experiential avoidance reducing focused interventions, including acceptance and commitment therapy in major depression disorder after traumatic brain injury.