This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by Coffey, K. A. Articles by Hartman, M. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress

Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, kcoffey{at}email.unc.edu

Marilyn Hartman, PhD

Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Both dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions have been found to be associated with less psychological distress. The current study investigated three mechanisms by which mindfulness might exert its beneficial effects: emotion regulation, nonattachment, and reduced rumination. Correlational self-report data were collected from two independent, nonclinical samples of undergraduates. Structural equation modeling was then used to test the role of these three mechanisms in mediating the relationship between mindfulness and a psychological distress factor, consisting of measures for depressive and anxious symptomatology. The model was respecified based on the first sample and retested in the second sample. Results confirmed an inverse relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress. Furthermore, emotion regulation, nonattachment, and rumination significantly mediated this relationship.

Key Words: mindfulness • emotion regulation • nonattachment • rumination • depression • anxiety

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?