Psychological Flexibility and Psychological Distress Among Students: A Temporal Network Approach

In recent years, the growing scientific interest in student mental health has highlighted a deterioration of their psychological state. Among promising interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on psychological flexibility (PF), has drawn particular interest. However, the specific temporal dynamics linking PF dimensions to psychological distress (PD) remain underexplored. This study employs a temporal network approach applied to ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data to examine these interactions among French university students. Results reveal that the mindfulness dimension of PF plays a central role in the contemporary network, closely connecting PF and PD. At the temporal level, we observe that engaging in actions aligned with one’s values leads to greater awareness of those values, hence promoting enhanced well-being. However, these findings are only partially replicated in the existing literature, suggesting that the observed links between PF and PD may vary depending on context, studied populations, and the measurement temporality. This study underscores the importance of using multilevel protocols to better understand the specific PF processes involved in PD. The study’s limitations and methodological avenues for future research are also discussed.