Driven or lacking access: Integration types as a subdimension of the affect consciousness construct

Abstract

Introduction: This article examines integration types as a sub-dimension of the affect consciousness construct to account for individual differences in how problems with the experience and expression of affects manifest. The two integration types driven and lack of access describe prototypical ways of experiencing and expressing affect, differentiating between problems characterized by too much or too little affective mobilization. Methods: Archival data from a non-clinical sample (n = 157) was used to examine the validity and reliability of integration type scales from the Affect Integration Inventory (AII 2.0). Internal structure was assessed through confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) by structural equation modelling. Nomological validity was examined through tests of patterns of hypothesized associations between integration types across various affects and specific types of interpersonal problems (as measured by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems; IIP-64). Results: CFAs indicated acceptable fit for the different integration type scales and overall construct structure. Distinct sinusoidal patterns of correlations between integration types and interpersonal problems were found for the various affects examined. All correlation patterns had good fit (GoF ≥ 0.87), with significant differences in magnitude between peak and low point correlations. Discussion: We conclude that differences in prototypical ways of experiencing and expressing affects can be assessed easily, quickly, and reliably, have theoretically consistent intra-domain relationships and valid structural psychometric properties, are robustly related to interpersonal functioning in general, and are systematically and differentially related to specific and theoretically hypothesized interpersonal problem types.