Comparing the Incremental Predictive Validity of Self-as-Context-Related Measures

Abstract

The comparative incremental validity of five self-as-context measures in predicting psychological distress and satisfaction with life, after controlling for relevant demographic variables and other psychological flexibility processes, was evaluated in a college student sample (N = 315). All of the measures except the self-as-context subscale of the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (Rolffs et al., 2018) separately accounted for a significant increase in variability in psychological distress. The centering subscale of the Self-as-Context Scale (Zettle et al., 2018) was the only measure to also display incremental predictive validity in accounting for significant variance in life satisfaction. The conceptual and clinical implications of the findings in the context of study limitations are discussed.

Keywords: incremental predictive validity; psychological distress; psychological flexibility; satisfaction with life; self-as-context.