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Network Analysis of Mindfulness Facets, Affect, Compassion, and Distress

Medvedev, Oleg ; Cervin, Matti LU ; Barcaccia, Barbara ; Siegert, Richard J ; Roemer, Anja and Krägeloh, Christian U (2020) In Mindfulness
Abstract
Objectives
Mindfulness, positive affect, and compassion may protect against psychological distress but there is lack of understanding about the ways in which these factors are linked to mental health. Network analysis is a statistical method used to investigate complex associations among constructs in a single network and is particularly suitable for this purpose. The aim of this study was to explore how mindfulness facets, affect, and compassion were linked to psychological distress using network analysis.

Methods
The sample (n = 400) included equal numbers from general and student populations who completed measures of five mindfulness facets, compassion, positive and negative affect, depression, anxiety, and stress.... (More)
Objectives
Mindfulness, positive affect, and compassion may protect against psychological distress but there is lack of understanding about the ways in which these factors are linked to mental health. Network analysis is a statistical method used to investigate complex associations among constructs in a single network and is particularly suitable for this purpose. The aim of this study was to explore how mindfulness facets, affect, and compassion were linked to psychological distress using network analysis.

Methods
The sample (n = 400) included equal numbers from general and student populations who completed measures of five mindfulness facets, compassion, positive and negative affect, depression, anxiety, and stress. Network analysis was used to explore the direct associations between these variables.

Results
Compassion was directly related to positive affect, which in turn was strongly and inversely related to depression and positively related to the observing and describing facets of mindfulness. The non-judgment facet of mindfulness was strongly and inversely related to negative affect, anxiety, and depression, while non-reactivity and acting with awareness were inversely associated with stress and anxiety, respectively. Strong associations were found between all distress variables.

Conclusions
The present network analysis highlights the strong link between compassion and positive affect and suggests that observing and describing the world through the lens of compassion may enhance resilience to depression. Taking a non-judging and non-reacting stance toward internal experience while acting with awareness may protect against psychological distress. Applicability of these findings can be examined in experimental studies aiming to prevent distress and enhance psychological well-being. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Mindfulness
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:85096514854
  • pmid:33262860
ISSN
1868-8535
DOI
10.1007/s12671-020-01555-8
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e366e81e-fad3-4046-9d34-447fe98c2d10
date added to LUP
2020-11-27 08:15:08
date last changed
2022-04-26 22:10:29
@article{e366e81e-fad3-4046-9d34-447fe98c2d10,
  abstract     = {{Objectives<br/>Mindfulness, positive affect, and compassion may protect against psychological distress but there is lack of understanding about the ways in which these factors are linked to mental health. Network analysis is a statistical method used to investigate complex associations among constructs in a single network and is particularly suitable for this purpose. The aim of this study was to explore how mindfulness facets, affect, and compassion were linked to psychological distress using network analysis.<br/><br/>Methods<br/>The sample (n = 400) included equal numbers from general and student populations who completed measures of five mindfulness facets, compassion, positive and negative affect, depression, anxiety, and stress. Network analysis was used to explore the direct associations between these variables.<br/><br/>Results<br/>Compassion was directly related to positive affect, which in turn was strongly and inversely related to depression and positively related to the observing and describing facets of mindfulness. The non-judgment facet of mindfulness was strongly and inversely related to negative affect, anxiety, and depression, while non-reactivity and acting with awareness were inversely associated with stress and anxiety, respectively. Strong associations were found between all distress variables.<br/><br/>Conclusions<br/>The present network analysis highlights the strong link between compassion and positive affect and suggests that observing and describing the world through the lens of compassion may enhance resilience to depression. Taking a non-judging and non-reacting stance toward internal experience while acting with awareness may protect against psychological distress. Applicability of these findings can be examined in experimental studies aiming to prevent distress and enhance psychological well-being.}},
  author       = {{Medvedev, Oleg and Cervin, Matti and Barcaccia, Barbara and Siegert, Richard J and Roemer, Anja and Krägeloh, Christian U}},
  issn         = {{1868-8535}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Mindfulness}},
  title        = {{Network Analysis of Mindfulness Facets, Affect, Compassion, and Distress}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01555-8}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s12671-020-01555-8}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}