Associations between mindfulness and mental health after collective trauma: results from a longitudinal, representative, probability-based survey
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Trait mindfulness (TM) may protect against post-trauma mental health ailments and related impairment. Few studies have evaluated this association in the context of collective traumas using representative samples or longitudinal designs. DESIGN/METHOD: We explored relationships between TM and collective trauma-related outcomes in a prospective, representative, probability-based sample of 1846 U.S. Gulf Coast residents repeatedly exposed to catastrophic hurricanes, assessed twice during the COVID-19 outbreak (Wave 1: 5/14/20-5/27/20; Wave 2: 12/21/21-1/11/22). Generalized estimating equations examined longitudinal relationships between TM, COVID-19-related fear/worry, hurricane-related fear/worry, global distress, and functional impairment; ordinary least squares regression analyses examined the cross-sectional association between TM and COVID-19-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at Wave 1. Event-related stressor exposure was explored as a moderator. RESULTS: In covariate-adjusted models including pre-event mental health ailments and demographics, TM was negatively associated with COVID-19-related fear/worry, hurricane-related fear/worry, global distress, and functional impairment over time; in cross-sectional analyses, TM was negatively associated with COVID-19-related PTSS. TM moderated the relationship between COVID-19 secondary stressor exposure (e.g., lost job/wages) and both global distress and functional impairment over time. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest TM may buffer adverse psychosocial outcomes following collective trauma, with some evidence TM may protect against negative effects of secondary stressor exposure.
Source: Anxiety Stress & Coping
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G141141620, RAPID: Responding to the Risk of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma: Choices and Adjustment Over Time, G3693628902, G511430278, G5640059160, G6814088958, Management and Operation of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, 2008-2018, and Supporting Activities, RAPID: Compounding Crises: Facing Hurricane Season in the Era of COVID-19, G7969797817
OpenAlex ID: W4387966203