Does mindfulness moderate the association between interparental conflict and depressive symptoms in adolescents?
Date
2018
Authors
Carson, Jana, author
Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor
Shomaker, Lauren, committee member
Stallones, Lorann, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The main goal of this study was to examine the interactions between perceived interparental conflict dimensions (i.e., threat, conflict property, and self-blame) and trait mindfulness in relation to depressive symptoms among adolescents. Age was also tested as a moderator of these associations. One hundred and fifty adolescents (range: 14-21 years old) visited the laboratory at the Colorado State University campus where they completed various questionnaires on a computer. Results indicated that depressive symptoms were significantly and negatively associated with mindfulness. Of the perceived interparental conflict variables, threat was the only dimension significantly—and negatively—associated with mindfulness. There were no significant interactions between conflict dimensions and mindfulness in relation to depressive symptoms, and age was not a significant moderator. Although causality cannot be determined, the results indicate that perceived threat may be a risk factor for adolescent depression, and the results are in line with evidence that mindfulness based treatments may reduce depression for adolescents. Future research may want to examine whether other aspects of trait mindfulness (i.e., self-compassion and non-judgement) are more effective for buffering depressive symptoms in adolescents perceiving interparental conflict.