Invalidating environments, valuesbased behaviors, and mental health: An explanatory model based on contextual-behavioral intervention perspectives

Objective: To examine the mediating role of valuebased behaviors in the relationship between invalidating environments, both past and present, and mental health indicators. Method: A total of 546 Peruvian adults participated in the study, ranged in age from 18 to 67 years (53.3% were females). Structural equation models were employed to test the hypothesized mediation models. Results: The findings indicate that both progress toward and obstruction of a meaningful life mediate the relationship between certain types of invalidation (stemming from the current context and paternal invalidation during childhood) and mental health indicators. However, this dynamic was not observed in the case of maternal invalidation during childhood. Conclusions: These results are discussed in consideration of theoretical frameworks based on behavioral-contextual interventions, as well as sociocultural perspectives relevant to the research. Additionally, the limitations related to sampling and the implications of the preliminary proposals presented are thoroughly analyzed.