Mindfulness, Difficulties in Emotional Regulation, Negative and Positive Affect as Predictors of Anxiety, Depression, and Psychological Distress in Early Adolescence
Bárbara Porter, Cristián Oyanadel, Yaranay López-Angulo, Wenceslao Peñate Castro
Preprints.org April 16, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.20944/preprints202504.1309.v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional predictive design |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 259 |
| Population | Children and early adolescents aged 8 to 12 years |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Difficulties in emotional regulation predicted anxiety and depression; negative affect predicted anxiety and psychological distress; and low positive affect (anhedonia) predicted depression. Low dispositional mindfulness predicted both depression and psychological distress. The authors argue that strengthening emotional regulation and mindfulness skills in this developmental period could aid prevention of prevalent mental health disorders. |
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The high prevalence of anxiety and depression in early adolescents, along with the significant disability these conditions, represent a major challenge for mental health. This data underscores the need to understand the variables that predict mental health in this developmental period.
Objective: Evaluate the predictive role of mindfulness, difficulties in emotional regulation, and positive and negative affect on anxiety, depression, and psychological distress at the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence.
Method: A cross-sectional predictive design was carried out, evaluating 259 children and early adolescents aged 8 to 12 years. Multiple regression analyses were conducted using the stepwise method to determine the predictive capacity of mindfulness, difficulties in emotional regulation, and positive and negative affect on anxiety, depression, and psychological distress.
Results: Difficulties in emotional regulation have a predictive role on anxiety and depression; negative affect on anxiety and psychological distress; and low positive affect (anhedonia) on depression. Low levels of dispositional mindfulness presented a predictive role on depression and psychological distress.
Conclusion: Strengthening skills such as emotional regulation and mindfulness during this period of life could be important for the prevention of highly prevalent mental health disorders that have a negative and prolonged impact on adolescents' lives.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |