Mindfulness as a Mediator Between the Relational Style with Voices and Negative Affect

Recent studies have established associations between relating to voices and distress. However, the potential influence of mindfulness on this relationship has received little attention. This study was designed to explore the extent to which associations between relating to voices and distress are mediated by mindfulness. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the associations between these variables. A sample of 62 patients with psychotic disorder were given the Voices and You Scale (VAY) to measure the relational style with the voices, the Mindfulness and Awareness Scale (MAAS) to measure the capability of mindfulness, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to measure anxiety and depression, respectively. The results showed a negative association between a dysfunctional style of relating to the voices and mindfulness. It was also found from simple mediation analysis that the mindfulness variable negatively mediated the dysfunctional relational style with voices and distress. Mindfulness is a variable that can mediate the effect of relating style upon voices and distress and should be a target of therapeutic intervention.