Dispositional Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Buffer the Effects of COVID-19 Stress on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms
Mindfulness December 1, 2022 Shadi Beshai, Saba Salimuddin, Nabhan Refaie et al.
Across two online studies totaling 888 participants, dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion were moderately negatively correlated with COVID-19-related fears and stress. Self-compassion, but not mindfulness as measured by the FFMQ-15, moderated the relationship between COVID-19 fears and emotional impacts with depression and anxiety symptoms in Study 1. In Study 2, mindfulness as measured by the FFMQ-39, but not the MAAS, moderated the relationship between COVID-19 stress and psychological disorder symptoms. The authors suggest these traits may protect against pandemic-related stress, and note that different mindfulness measures yield different associations.