Childhood trauma and problem behavior: Examining the mediating roles of experiential avoidance and mindfulness processes.
Anne I Roche, Emily B Kroska, Michelle L Miller, Sydney K Kroska, Michael W O'Hara
Journal of American College Health June 19, 2018 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1455689 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 414 |
| Population | College-aged young adults recruited from a university setting in the Midwestern United States |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Avoidance learning Stress disorders, post-traumatic Students Universities Midwestern united states Female Young adult Self report Problem behavior Mental health Experiential avoidance |
| Key findings | Experiential avoidance significantly mediated the association between childhood trauma and problem behavior, and the mindfulness facets of acting with awareness and nonjudgment of inner experience each significantly mediated the same association. The authors propose that interventions targeting avoidance and mindfulness may help reduce problem behavior among college students with childhood trauma histories. |
Abstract
Objective: Childhood trauma is associated with a variety of risky, unhealthy, or problem behaviors. The current study aimed to explore experiential avoidance and mindfulness processes as mechanisms through which childhood trauma and problem behavior are linked in a college sample.
Participants: The sample consisted of college-aged young adults recruited November-December, 2016 (N = 414).
Methods: Participants completed self-report measures of childhood trauma, current problem behavior, experiential avoidance, and mindfulness processes. Bootstrapped mediation analyses examined the mechanistic associations of interest.
Results: Mediation analyses indicated that experiential avoidance was a significant mediator of the association between childhood trauma and problem behavior. Additionally, multiple mediation analyses indicated that specific mindfulness facets-act with awareness and nonjudgment of inner experience-significantly mediated the same association.
Conclusions: Interventions for college students who have experienced childhood trauma might profitably target mechanisms such as avoidance and mindfulness in order to minimize engagement in problem behavior.