Abstract
Gámez, Chmielewski, Kotov and colleagues develop the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ) so experiential avoidance can be measured as a broad tendency, not collapsed into neuroticism.
Gámez, W., Chmielewski, M., Kotov, R., Ruggero, C., & Watson, D. (2011). Psychological Assessment, 23(3), 692–713. DOI
Key findings
- Six subscales — A 62-item structure covering a wider avoidance content than earlier EA scales.
- Discriminant — Associated with psychopathology after controlling for neuroticism.
Limits
Self-report instrument paper — not a coaching protocol. Closed access; cite-anchor only.
Application
When you catch yourself calling avoidance “just anxiety,” separate the tendency to escape the inner state from the trait label — then name the form you will not look at (Experiential avoidance).