The Relationship of Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation with Depression in Girls: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility
Keywords:
Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Depression, Psychological Flexibility, GirlsAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship of mindfulness and emotion regulation with depression in girls and to determine the mediating role of psychological flexibility.
Methods and Materials: This quantitative study employed a descriptive-correlational design, and the proposed conceptual model was tested using path analysis. The statistical population consisted of girls aged 18 to 29 years attending cultural centers in District 4 of Tehran, from whom 170 participants were selected through non-random convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Beck Depression Inventory, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Gross and John Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 18.
Findings: Mindfulness was negatively and significantly correlated with depression, r = -0.35, p < 0.001. Cognitive reappraisal was also negatively associated with depression, r = -0.18, p < 0.05, whereas suppression was positively associated with depression, r = 0.37, p < 0.001. Psychological flexibility showed a strong negative relationship with depression, r = -0.68, p < 0.001. In the structural model, the direct effects of mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, suppression, and psychological flexibility on depression were β = -0.263, β = -0.129, β = 0.280, and β = -0.544, respectively. The indirect effects of mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, and suppression on depression through psychological flexibility were β = -0.239, β = -0.081, and β = 0.177, respectively, and all were statistically significant. The model explained 53% of the variance in depression.
Conclusion: Psychological flexibility appears to be an important mechanism explaining the relationships of mindfulness and emotion-regulation strategies with depression, suggesting that strengthening mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, and psychological flexibility may contribute to reducing depressive symptoms among young women.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Zahra Gholizade (Author); Afsaneh Khodayari Moghadam
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