Facets of mindfulness predict drinking consequences in a sample of American and Swedish adolescents
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Mindfulness-based interventions have become increasingly utilized with individuals with alcohol and \nsubstance use disorders (e.g., Bowen et al., 2014); however, the relationship between mindfulness \nand substance use is complex (Karyadi et al., 2014). Mindfulness is a multifaceted construct and \nincludes factors related to attentional control, present moment focus, and an attitude of non-judgment \nand acceptance. Thus, the relationship between different mindfulness factors and substance \nuse, and negative consequences related to its use, may differ. In the present study, we examined \nwhich specific elements of mindfulness would best predict drinking consequences 6 months later in \na sample of American and Swedish adolescents. Additionally, we examined whether adolescents’ \nnationality would moderate the relationship between mindfulness and drinking consequences. Our \nsample included Washington St, USA and Swedish adolescents participating in a larger study investigating \na brief online intervention for alcohol use (N = 3,352). Participants completed an online survey \nat 6- and 12-month follow up. At the 6-month follow up, trait-mindfulness wasmeasured using \nthe Cognitive and AffectiveMindfulness Scale-Revised (Feldman et al., 2007). At 12-month follow \nup, alcohol related negative consequences were measured using the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index \n(White & Lobouvie, 1989). Linear regression analysis revealed that mindfulness factors did explain a \nsignificant proportion of variance in drinking consequences scores, R2 = 0.02, F(4, 620) = 2.67, \np = 0.03. Specifically, the mindfulness factor of attention predicted drinking consequences, such that \nlower levels of attention predictedmore drinking consequences, b = 0.23, p = 0.02. None of the \nother mindfulness factors significantly predicted drinking consequences. Adolescents’ nationality did \nnotmoderate the relationship between the mindfulness factors and drinking consequences 6 month \nlater. The present study findings differ from previous findings, which found a relationship between \nawareness and drinking consequences (Fernandez et al., 2010), although this may be due to differences \nin how mindfulness factors were conceptualized and assessed. Nationality was not shown to \nmoderate the relationship between mindfulness factors and drinking consequences, suggesting that \nmindfulness factors may not be culturally bound and may operate consistently across cultures, \nalthough examination of additional cultures is needed.
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2276168395