Cross-sectional relations between psychological inflexibility and symptoms of depression and anxiety among adults reporting migraines or risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Psychological inflexibility is a multifaceted construct reflecting a rigid dominance of psychological reactions over chosen values and contingencies in guiding action. Psychological inflexibility has been related to depressive and anxiety symptoms and has been studied as a target of treatment for different forms of psychopathology. This construct, however, remains understudied among some at-risk groups. To close this gap in knowledge, the current study examined cross-sectional relations between psychological inflexibility and (1) symptoms of depression among adults with migraines (n = 2936) and (2) symptoms of anxiety and depression among adults at-risk for cardiovascular disease (n = 921). Results indicate that psychological inflexibility significantly related to depressive and anxiety symptoms among these populations. Results are discussed in terms of treatment implications for such persons. • Nearly half of the US population has a chronic medical condition. • Depression and anxiety are common among patients with chronic medical conditions. • Psychological inflexibility is significantly related to depressive symptoms in migraineurs. • Psychological inflexibility is significantly related to distress in patients with cardiovascular disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]