Mindfulness affected post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth: Adaptive and maladaptive sides through trauma-related shame and guilt.

Abstract

Mindfulness plays an important role in reducing post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and promoting posttraumatic growth (PTG) among traumatized populations. However, the mechanism at the emotional level has not been fully examined. Thus, we aimed to investigate the possible mediating roles of trauma-related shame and guilt. A total of 814 college students (M_age = 19.55, SD = 1.89) with traumatic experiences in China were recruited. Traumatic experiences, mindfulness, trauma-related shame, and trauma-related guilt were assessed in the first survey. Six months later, PTSS and PTG were assessed in the second survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis indicated that mindfulness was associated with less PTSS through shame and guilt. However, though directly associated with more PTG, mindfulness could also negatively predict PTG by evoking less guilt. Mindfulness can be a way to cope with traumatic experiences and related psychological consequences. However, although mindfulness can reduce PTSS by suppressing negative trauma-related shame and guilt, it can also limit the realization of PTG by inhibiting the adaptive sides of these emotions.