Dispositional mindfulness moderates the links between potentially morally injurious event exposure and symptoms of anxiety and depression but not suicidal ideation
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Authors
Wetzler, Elizabeth L.
Erbe, Ryan G.
Cornwell, James F. M.
Wood, Michael D.
Issue Date
2024-03-28
Type
journal-article
Language
Keywords
moral injury , mindfulness , mental health , Military , garrison
Alternative Title
Abstract
Exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) is a pervasive threat for military service members and may be associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. However, coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, may ameliorate symptoms and improve recovery. Two studies were conducted to test dispositional mindfulness as a moderator of the links between PMIEs, as assessed using the Moral Injury Events Scale (i.e., total score and Self‐Transgression, Other‐Transgression, and Betrayal subscale scores), and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among different samples of active‐duty soldiers in garrison. In Sample 1 (N = 310), mindfulness buffered the links between PMIE exposure and symptoms of both anxiety, ∆R2 = .02, and depression, ∆R2 = .03. In Sample 2 (N= 669), mindfulness moderated the link between the MIES Betrayal subscale and anxiety symptoms, ∆R2 = .01. The results suggest that dispositional mindfulness may be a protective factor against some of the negative impacts of PMIE exposure. Further implications are discussed.
Description
Citation
Wetzler, Elizabeth L., Ryan G. Erbe, James FM Cornwell, and Michael D. Wood. "Dispositional mindfulness moderates the links between potentially morally injurious event exposure and symptoms of anxiety and depression but not suicidal ideation." Journal of Traumatic Stress (2024).
Publisher
Wiley
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
0894-9867
1573-6598
1573-6598