Psychological (In)Flexibility Mediates the Effect of Loneliness on Psychological Stress. Evidence from a Large Sample of University Professors

David Ortega-Jiménez, Pablo Ruisoto, Francisco Bretones, Marina del Rocío Ramírez and Silvia Vaca Gallegos
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David Ortega-Jiménez: Department of Psychology, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Pablo Ruisoto: Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
Marina del Rocío Ramírez: Department of Psychology, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador
Silvia Vaca Gallegos: Department of Psychology, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-8

Abstract: Psychological stress, loneliness, and psychological inflexibility are associated with poorer mental health and professional performance in university teachers. However, the relationship between these variables is understudied. The aim of the present study is to analyze the mediating role of psychological (in)flexibility on the effect of loneliness on psychological stress. A total of 902 professors from 11 universities in Ecuador were analyzed using standardized scales: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) to assess psychological stress, the Loneliness Scale Revised-Short (UCLA-3) for loneliness, and the Avoidance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-7) and Life Engagement Test as double measures of psychological (in)flexibility. Mediation was tested by using PROCESS macro for SPSS. The results indicated that psychological flexibility mediated the relationship between loneliness and stress in university professors, regardless of sex and the measure of psychological (in)flexibility considered. The practical implications of the results are discussed herein.

Keywords: psychosocial factors; psychological (in)flexibility; professors; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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