Latent profiles of psychological flexibility and inflexibility among Korean young adults: associations with depression and anxiety.

This study explored the latent profiles of psychological flexibility and inflexibility, core processes in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Psychological flexibility refers to the capacity to stay open to internal experiences and to pursue valued actions even in the presence of distress, whereas inflexibility involves rigid attempts to avoid or control them. Using a subgroup-based approach within a nomothetic framework, we investigated how the identified subgroups were associated with depression and anxiety. Participants comprised 1,000 Korean young adults (Mage = 28.68, SDage = 4.10). Latent profile analysis was conducted alongside the Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars (BCH) method to identify distinct profiles. Three latent profiles of ACT processes emerged (i.e. high flexibility, moderate flexibility, high inflexibility). Women were more likely to be classified in the high inflexibility profile. Participants in the high flexibility profile reported lower levels of depression and anxiety, whereas those in the high inflexibility profile had more severe symptoms. Interestingly, unexpected findings were obtained regarding experiential avoidance. The identification of distinct profiles suggests that psychological flexibility and inflexibility may be more polarized in the study sample, with individuals clustering into either adaptive or maladaptive coping styles. Cultural factors may also play a role in shaping the function and impact of experiential avoidance.