Abstract

There is substantial evidence supporting the robust dissipative influence of mindfulness on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but its mediating pathway has been rarely explored. The present study aimed at determining whether the relationship between mindfulness and PTSD symptoms is mediated via the mechanism of experiential avoidance (EA). This cross-sectional study involved 577 survivors of Fulani herdsmen attack in South-eastern Nigeria. Igbo language version of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, and PTSD Symptom Checklist for DSM-5 were completed by the participants. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the independent association between mindfulness, EA and PTSD symptoms. Hayes PROCESS macro for SPSS was employed for mediation analysis. Results revealed that mindfulness was directly and negatively associated with PTSD symptoms and was also negatively associated with PTSD symptoms via the pathway of lower EA. EA was also directly and positively associated with PTSD symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating mindfulness and acceptance-based behavioural change intervention in the management of PTSD in survivors of a terror attack as it may be beneficial in disabling PTSD symptoms through a decrease in EA.

摘要

有大量证据支持正念对创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 症状的强大耗散影响，但很少探索其中介途径。本研究旨在确定正念与 PTSD 症状之间的关系是否通过体验回避（EA）机制介导。这项横断面研究涉及尼日利亚东南部富拉尼牧民袭击的 577 名幸存者。参与者完成了 DSM-5 的 Igbo 语言版本的 Mindful Attention Awareness Scale、Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II 和 PTSD Symptom Checklist。多元回归分析用于检查正念、EA 和 PTSD 症状之间的独立关联。用于 SPSS 的 Hayes PROCESS 宏用于中介分析。结果显示，正念与 PTSD 症状直接负相关，并且通过较低的 EA 途径与 PTSD 症状负相关。EA 也与 PTSD 症状直接和正相关。这些发现强调了将正念和基于接受的行为改变干预纳入恐怖袭击幸存者 PTSD 管理的重要性，因为它可能有助于通过减少 EA 来消除 PTSD 症状。