Experiential Avoidance and Meta- Emotions in Smokers and Non- Smokers: A Comparative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E7/2026-40Keywords:
Experiential Avoidance, Meta-emotions, Smoking Behaviour, Gender Differences, Young AdultsAbstract
Background: Experiential avoidance is the tendency to avoid unpleasant thoughts and emotions, while meta- emotions are feelings about one’s own emotions. Smoking may serve as a coping mechanism for managing emotional distress.
Objective: This study examined the main and interaction effects of smoking and non- smoking behaviour and sex on experiential avoidance and meta- emotions.
Methods: Using a cross- sectional comparative design, data were collected from 120 university students aged 18-25 with equal representation of smoking and non- smoking behaviour and balanced sex distribution. Analysis was carried out on 108 participants after data cleaning. Standardized tools, including Brief experiential avoidance questionnaire (BEAQ) and meta- emotion scale (MES) were administered and data was analysed using descriptive statistics and two- way ANOVA.
Results: Results showed that smokers had significantly higher experiential avoidance than non- smokers, with no significant effects of sex or interaction. Non- smokers reported higher negative meta- emotions, including greater emotional awareness, while no sex or interaction effects emerged for this variable. For, positive meta- emotions, females scored higher than males, suggesting greater awareness and compassion, whereas smoking status had no significant effect.
Conclusions: These findings identify experiential avoidance as a key factor differentiating smokers from non- smokers, supporting its link with avoidance- based coping and substance use. Low score on negative meta- emotions in smokers may reflect emotional suppression rather than healthier functioning, while sex difference was evident only in positive meta- emotions. The results highlight the need to address experiential avoidance and emotion regulation- particularly emotional suppression- through targeted and gender sensitive smoking cessation interventions
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Copyright (c) 2026 Seema Rani Sarraf, Abhijeet Pal (Author)
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