Citation

Tubbs JD, Savage JE, Adkins AE, Amstadter AB, Dick DM. J. Am. Coll. Health 2019; 67(3): 235-245.

Affiliation

College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2018.1477782

PMID

29979916

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relations between trauma exposure and anxiety and depression among college students, and to determine whether trait mindfulness may moderate these relations. PARTICIPANTS: Self-report survey data from 2,336 college sophomores was drawn from a larger university-wide study ("Spit for Science").

METHODS: We constructed multiple linear regression models using past-year trauma exposure, trait mindfulness, and their multiplicative interaction to predict current anxiety and depressive symptom severity, while controlling for covariates.

RESULTS: Mindfulness was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety symptom severity. Trauma was a significant predictor of anxiety, but not depression, and high levels of mindfulness attenuated the association between trauma exposure and higher anxiety symptom severity.

CONCLUSIONS: These results have implications for the treatment and prevention of anxiety among trauma-exposed college students and provides a basis for further research into the mechanisms through which mindfulness may facilitate positive mental health.

Language: en

Keywords

Anxiety; depression; internalizing; mindfulness; trauma