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16-07-2021 | ORIGINAL PAPER

The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation in the Association Between Trait Mindfulness and PTSD Symptoms among Trauma-Exposed Adults

Auteurs: Abigail Powers, Hayley Drew Dixon, Alfonsina Guelfo, Yara Mekawi, Bekh Bradley, Nadine Kaslow, Negar Fani

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 9/2021

Abstract

Objectives

Growing evidence of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) warrants greater understanding of factors relevant to the relation between trait mindfulness and PTSD, such as emotion dysregulation (ED). The goal of this study was to examine associations between trait mindfulness, ED, and PTSD symptoms across two samples of trauma-exposed adults.

Methods

Participants for Sample 1 (n = 39, 90% women, 100% Black) and Sample 2 (n = 60, 100% women, 87% Black) were recruited from an urban hospital in the South. Trait mindfulness, ED, and PTSD were assessed.

Results

Across both samples, mindfulness and ED were significantly associated with overall PTSD severity (r = − .49 and r = − .42, ps = .001; r = .53 and r = .51, ps < .001, respectively) in the expected direction. In Sample 1, mindful nonjudgment and difficulty with emotion regulation strategies showed the strongest associations with overall PTSD severity as well as symptom clusters. In Sample 2, mindful acceptance and all ED dimensions (except non-awareness) showed strong associations with overall PTSD severity and particularly with negative cognitions and mood symptoms. In both samples, ED mediated the association between mindfulness and overall PTSD severity (Sample 1: ab = − .15, 95% CI [− .35, − .02]; Sample 2: ab = − .11, 95% CI [− .22, − .04]).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate the important role of ED in the relation between trait mindfulness and PTSD symptoms among trauma-exposed adults. They highlight the value of examining ED as a mechanism of change in mindfulness-based interventions for PTSD.

Clinical Trials Registration

Sample 1: NCT03922581, April 22, 2019; NCT03938350, May 6, 2019; Sample 2: NCT02754557, April 28, 2016.

vorige artikel Subsurface Confinement: Evidence from Submariners of the Benefits of Mindfulness

volgende artikel Self-Compassion, Wellbeing, and Distress in Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions: the Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties

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Titel: The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation in the Association Between Trait Mindfulness and PTSD Symptoms among Trauma-Exposed Adults
Auteurs: Abigail Powers
Hayley Drew Dixon
Alfonsina Guelfo
Yara Mekawi
Bekh Bradley
Nadine Kaslow
Negar Fani
Publicatiedatum: 16-07-2021
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 9/2021
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01684-8

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