Hair Pulling Antecedents in Trichotillomania: Their Relationship with Experiential Avoidance

Authors

Chad T. Wetterneck, Rogers Memorial Hospital
Sonia R. Singh, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Douglas W. Woods, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2020

Publisher

Guilford Press

Source Publication

Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

Source ISSN

0025-9284

Abstract

In this study, 285 adults who met criteria for trichotillomania (TTM) via self-report completed an online, cross-sectional survey examining antecedent phenomenological experiences pertaining to hair pulling along with measures of TTM severity and experiential avoidance (i.e., avoidance of or escape from unwanted thoughts or feelings). Results showed a heterogeneous depiction of antecedent experiences. Subsequent analyses revealed that certain antecedents were not significantly related to TTM severity but were significantly correlated with higher levels of experiential avoidance. In particular, four of five classes of antecedents (i.e., bodily sensations, physical symptoms, mental anxiety, and general uncomfortableness) were significantly related to greater experiential avoidance. The authors conclude that treatments may need to be designed to address specific private antecedents, and that this may be done through targeting experiential avoidance.

Comments

Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, Vol. 84, No. 1 (March 2020): 35-52. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Wetterneck, Chad T.; Singh, Sonia R.; and Woods, Douglas W., "Hair Pulling Antecedents in Trichotillomania: Their Relationship with Experiential Avoidance" (2020). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 545.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/545