The Role of Mindfulness and Psychological Flexibility in Somatization, Depression, Anxiety, and General Psychological Distress in a Nonclinical College Sample
Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine October 11, 2011 DOI: 10.1177/2156587211423400 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 494 |
| Population | Ethnically diverse, nonclinical sample of college undergraduates (76% female) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Citations | 250 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness and psychological flexibility were positively associated with each other and each negatively associated with somatization, depression, anxiety, and general psychological distress. Both accounted for unique variance in all four distress measures, suggesting the two constructs are interrelated but not redundant and both matter for understanding distress. |
Abstract
The current study investigated whether mindfulness and psychological flexibility uniquely and separately accounted for variability in psychological distress (somatization, depression, anxiety, and general psychological distress). An ethnically diverse, nonclinical sample of college undergraduates (N = 494, 76% female) completed a Web-based survey that included the self-report measures of interest. Consistent with prior research, psychological flexibility and mindfulness were positively associated with each other, and tested separately, both variables were negatively associated with somatization, depression, anxiety, and general psychological distress. Results also revealed that psychological flexibility and mindfulness accounted for unique variance in all 4 measures of distress. These findings suggest that mindfulness and psychological flexibility are interrelated but not redundant constructs and that both constructs are important for understanding the onset and maintenance of somatization, depression, anxiety, and general distress.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- The effect of ten versus twenty minutes of mindfulness meditation on state mindfulness and affect. Scientific Reports November 24, 2023
- Leveraging Mindfulness to Build Resilience and Professional Quality of Life in Human Service Professionals OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine May 15, 2018
- Temporal dynamics and long-term effects of a mindfulness-based intervention for young adults with adverse childhood experiences. Mindfulness September 1, 2024
- MINDFULNESS AND SELF-EFFICACY IN AN ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAM Journal of Instructional Research August 1, 2018
- Assessing the mindfulness predictors of mental health: does mindfulness practise or dispositional mindfulness better protect young peoples' mental health? Health psychology and behavioral medicine 2024
and 11 more in the library
Cites 8
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition Choice Reviews Online July 1, 2005
- Cultivating mindfulness: effects on well‐being Journal of Clinical Psychology May 16, 2008
and 3 more in the library