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| Personal Values: Methods of Measurement and Importance of Personal Values as a Psychological Process |
| Saturday, May 26, 2007 |
| 3:30 PM–4:50 PM |
| Edward AB |
| Area: CBM; Domain: Basic Research |
| Chair: Christopher C. Cushing (Missouri State University) |
| Abstract: The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model has been put forward to suggest that personal values play a key role in psychological distress. Specifically, it has been theorized that higher levels of valuing and behavioral congruence with personal values protect against and reduce psychological suffering. In order to advance the literature base in this area well validated measures of personal values in adult and adolescent populations are needed. Additionally, researchers must empirically illuminate the effect of personal values on psychological distress. This symposium intends to provide important information regarding the measurement of personal values as well as make an attempt to advance the state of knowledge regarding the process by which personal values and values congruence contribute to psychological distress. |
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| Initial Validation of the Personal Values Questionnaire. |
| JOHN TANNER BLACKLEDGE (University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia), Rebecca Spencer (University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia), Joseph Ciarrochi (University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia) |
| Abstract: The Personal Values Questionnaire (PVQ) is a self-report instrument for adults designed to assess processes and domains of interest central to Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. Data from a sample of 100 university undergraduate subjects will be presented in order to demonstrate the psychometric properties of the instrument. |
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| Continuing Validation of the Social Values Survey. |
| JOHN TANNER BLACKLEDGE (University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia), Joseph Ciarrochi (University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia) |
| Abstract: The Social Values Survey (SVS) is a self-report instrument for adolescents designed to assess processes and domains of interest central to Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.
Initial validation of the SVS with a sample of 120 9th grade subjects suggested good psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and predictable correlations with co-administered instruments. This presentation will focus primarily on one-year follow-up data collected through re-administering the SVS and associated instruments with the same subjects. |
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| Pain Tolerance: Testing Values in the Context of Acceptance. |
| TANYA N. DOULEH (Missouri State University), Christopher C. Cushing (Missouri State University), Ann Branstetter-Rost (Missouri State University) |
| Abstract: Previous component analyses of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown that focusing on personal values enables some individuals to better tolerate painful stimuli. However, it is still unclear what other components of ACT amplify or are amplified by values work. The current study involved 90 undergraduate psychology students. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. In Group 1, participants received instruction on an acceptance technique. In addition to receiving the acceptance instruction, participants in Group 2 were read a vignette in which their highest ranked value was made emotionally salient. Group 3 served as the no treatment control group. After completing the instruction, individuals completed a cold pressor task. Initial results of this study indicate that while all participants reported similar pain ratings and thresholds, those individuals in Group 2, the acceptance + values group, were able to tolerate the painful task significantly longer than those receiving the acceptance only technique. |
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| Behavioral Congruence with Personal Values as a Predictor of Undergraduate Distress. |
| CHRISTOPHER C. CUSHING (Missouri State University), Tanya N. Douleh (Missouri State University), Ann Branstetter-Rost (Missouri State University) |
| Abstract: Recently, component analyses have provided support for the model of psychopathology and method of treatment proposed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) researchers. ACT proponents have proposed a hexagonal model to represent the etiology and maintenance of psychopathology. One of the six points on the hexagon is represented by lack of values clarity (Hayes Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999). Furthermore, Wilson and Murrell (2004) hypothesize that lack of behavioral congruence with personal values should be correlated with higher levels of personal distress. The present study examined he relationship between behavioral congruence with personal values and levels of psychological distress, in undergraduates. Psychological distress was measured using well validated measures of anxiety (i.e. Beck Anxiety Inventory) and depression (i.e. Beck Depression Inventory) as well as several scales designed to measure global functioning (e.g. Profile of Mood States). Three hundred undergraduate students were solicited from introductory psychology courses offered at Missouri State University. The results of the study were analyzed using structural equation modeling to attempt to provide empirical support for the model of psychopathology proposed by ACT researchers. |
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