Mindfulness as a mediator and moderator in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and depression

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with a variety of negative physical and psychological health outcomes. The mechanisms by which this occurs and potential protective factors present in this relationship are understudied. Mindfulness is a cognitive resource that may protect individuals against symptoms of psychological distress. It has five core facets and encourages a nonjudgmental acceptance of the present moment. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of mindfulness in the relationship between ACEs and depression, both as a mediator and as a moderator, or protective factor. We hypothesized that the aware, describe, and non-judgement facets of mindfulness would be key factors in both sets of analyses. Participants at a university ( N = 279) were given the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACES), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) to measure depression. Results indicated that the describe CI [.02, .11], aware CI [.05, .17], and non-judgement CI [.06, .18] facets of mindfulness significantly mediated the relationship between ACEs and depression. Additionally, the aware facet of mindfulness was also a significant moderator in this relationship, [ t (interaction) = −3.22, p < 0.01], such that individuals with a high level of awareness had no increase in depression even as the number of ACEs increased. Negative cognitions associated with ACEs may harm one’s ability to effectively describe their feelings and to be fully aware of the present moment, which may contribute to symptoms of depression. Implications for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are discussed.

Job Demands, Resources, and Burnout in Social Workers in China: Mediation Effect of Mindfulness

“…In essence, mindfulness has been found to be a protective factor against negative work and health outcomes. Yet, a smaller body of evidence has begun to show that mindfulness may have a dual mediator/moderator role in the relation between stressors and health outcomes [ 73 , 74 ]. Taken together, the literature on mindfulness, particularly in the context of the JD-R model, has already shown the moderating effect of mindfulness.…”

“…Based on JD-R theory and mindfulness frameworks [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 55 , 73 ], a conceptual model involving JD-R, state mindfulness, and burnout is proposed, as shown in Figure 1 , to examine the mediational pathway between JD-R and burnout. This conceptual model posits that stressors such as JD may affect an individual’s moment-to-moment, or state, mindfulness by impairing their ability to stay aware of the immediate environment and/or to stay non-judgmental.…”

Parental psychological control and adolescents depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating and moderating effect of self-concept clarity and mindfulness

“…Zimmer-Gembeck et al (2021) found that adolescents with higher dispositional mindfulness would have lesser mental issues. The research about American university students reports that mindfulness can regulate the effect of adverse childhood experiences on depression (Mckeen et al, 2021). At the same time, paying attention to children's feelings and accepting children without evaluation can reduce their depression through self-esteem improvement (Hu & Ai, 2016).…”

The Moderating Effect of Contact with Children on the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Depression in Adulthood among a Chinese Adult Population

“…For example, some scholars have found that positive childhood experiences at home and school protect at-risk adolescents against mental health problems [ 22 ]. Mindfulness is a cognitive resource that protects people against symptoms of psychological distress [ 23 ]. Self-esteem mediates the negative correlation between child maltreatment and depressive symptoms and protects against the adverse effects of early adversity exposure on mental health [ 24 ].…”