Sense of coherence, experiential avoidance, and internalising and externalising behaviours among adolescents: a two-wave study.

Abstract

Sense of coherence is regarded as a key psychological resource for adolescents' behavioural adjustment, enabling them to perceive stressors as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. However, the role of experiential avoidance in the association between sense of coherence and internalising and externalising behaviours remains underexplored. Drawing on salutogenic theory and acceptance and commitment therapy, this study examines the associations of sense of coherence with experiential avoidance and internalising and externalising behaviours, as well as the indirect associations between sense of coherence and these behavioural outcomes through experiential avoidance. Data were collected across two waves from 377 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the mediation model. The results indicate that sense of coherence predicts lower experiential avoidance and fewer internalising and externalising behaviours, with significant concurrent indirect associations through experiential avoidance. These findings suggest that lower experiential avoidance may represent one pathway through which sense of coherence is associated with fewer internalising and externalising behaviours among adolescents. The results may inform the development of theoretically grounded strategies that integrate salutogenic theory and acceptance and commitment therapy principles to address internalising and externalising behaviours in adolescents.