Trait mindfulness buffers depersonalization symptoms among young adults exposed to childhood abuse

Introduction: Childhood abuse has a significant impact on adulthood mental health. Many children cope with the threat of abuse through avoidant strategies; however, this adaptation may contribute to the development of depersonalization symptoms and dissociative disorders. In contrast, the development of trait mindfulness, the tendency to monitor present-moment experience from an accepting perspective, may buffer depersonalization symptoms. This study tests whether trait mindfulness, particularly acceptance, moderates the association between childhood abuse and depersonalization among young adults with a self-reported history of abuse.

Methods: As part of a larger trial, 81 participants (18–29 years, 85% female) reported childhood abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), trait mindfulness subscales, and depersonalization symptoms.

Results: Regression models showed an association between childhood abuse and depersonalization symptoms ( β = 0.30, p = 0.04); trait mindfulness moderated this relationship, such that the association between abuse and depersonalization was weakest among those with high mindfulness ( β = −0.05, p = 0.73). Participants reporting high Observe and high Nonjudge subscale scores showed the strongest buffering effect ( β = −0.12, p = 0.62), whereas the abuse-depersonalization association remained among those with high Observe with low Nonjudge scores ( β = 0.50, p = 0.038). There was no association between abuse and depersonalization among those with high Observe and high Nonreact scores ( β = 0.11, p = 0.67) or, unexpectedly, high Observe and low Nonreact scores ( β = 0.36, p = 0.27). However, high Nonjudge and Nonreact scores alone ( β = 0.21, p = 0.36; β = 0.04, p = 0.80) attenuated the abuse-depersonalization association.

Discussion: Trait mindfulness, particularly acceptance, may buffer against the development of depersonalization symptoms in trauma-exposed adults. Understanding this relationship informs theories on traumatic resilience and mindfulness-based therapies.