Mindfulness is a multidimensional construct including two main processes: the ability to be mindfully aware of ongoing experience (i.e., Awareness) and the ability to maintain a non-judgemental attitude towards internal experiences (i.e., Acceptance). High Acceptance has been consistently related to a range of positive psychological outcomes, while the association of Awareness with psychological outcomes is still not clear enough. Results from some studies supported Awareness as a predictor of positive psychological outcomes, while other studies did not support this relationship. The interaction between Awareness and Acceptance may account for these inconsistences since, theoretically, high levels of both Awareness and Acceptance would be necessary for mindfulness to have positive effects. Few studies examined the moderation hypothesis to predict anxiety and depression, and they focused on clinical samples. This study extends previous research in the field by examining whether Acceptance moderates the relationship of Awareness with anxiety and depression in a sample of healthy emerging adults. It was hypothesized that the relationship of Awareness with anxiety and depression would be stronger in low- than in high-Acceptance persons. A total of 489 emerging adults (73% females; mean age = 21.3 yr; SD = 2.37) completed the Awareness and Acceptance subscales of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Acceptance was negatively associated with anxiety and depression, while Awareness was positively associated with anxiety. The interaction term (Awareness x Acceptance) was statistically significant only to predict anxiety. The relationship between Awareness and anxiety was stronger in persons with low levels of Acceptance, comparing to persons with high Acceptance. Overall, findings from this study support Acceptance as a key process associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, our results suggest that increasing Awareness alone can have a detrimental effect on anxiety in persons with low levels of Acceptance. In other words, high levels of Acceptance are needed for Awareness abilities to have a positive effect.
The moderating effect of mindful Acceptance on the relationship between mindful Awareness and psychological distress
Bernini O.;Berrocal C.
2023-01-01
Abstract
Mindfulness is a multidimensional construct including two main processes: the ability to be mindfully aware of ongoing experience (i.e., Awareness) and the ability to maintain a non-judgemental attitude towards internal experiences (i.e., Acceptance). High Acceptance has been consistently related to a range of positive psychological outcomes, while the association of Awareness with psychological outcomes is still not clear enough. Results from some studies supported Awareness as a predictor of positive psychological outcomes, while other studies did not support this relationship. The interaction between Awareness and Acceptance may account for these inconsistences since, theoretically, high levels of both Awareness and Acceptance would be necessary for mindfulness to have positive effects. Few studies examined the moderation hypothesis to predict anxiety and depression, and they focused on clinical samples. This study extends previous research in the field by examining whether Acceptance moderates the relationship of Awareness with anxiety and depression in a sample of healthy emerging adults. It was hypothesized that the relationship of Awareness with anxiety and depression would be stronger in low- than in high-Acceptance persons. A total of 489 emerging adults (73% females; mean age = 21.3 yr; SD = 2.37) completed the Awareness and Acceptance subscales of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Acceptance was negatively associated with anxiety and depression, while Awareness was positively associated with anxiety. The interaction term (Awareness x Acceptance) was statistically significant only to predict anxiety. The relationship between Awareness and anxiety was stronger in persons with low levels of Acceptance, comparing to persons with high Acceptance. Overall, findings from this study support Acceptance as a key process associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, our results suggest that increasing Awareness alone can have a detrimental effect on anxiety in persons with low levels of Acceptance. In other words, high levels of Acceptance are needed for Awareness abilities to have a positive effect.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
