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Anger Rumination as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Aggression: The Utility of a Multidimensional Mindfulness Model
Author(s) -
Peters Jessica R.,
Smart Laura M.,
EisenlohrMoul Tory A.,
Geiger Paul J.,
Smith Gregory T.,
Baer Ruth A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22189
Subject(s) - mindfulness , anger , rumination , psychology , aggression , hostility , clinical psychology , structural equation modeling , developmental psychology , cognition , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics
Objectives Mindfulness training reduces anger and aggression, but the mechanisms of these effects are unclear. Mindfulness may reduce anger expression and hostility via reductions in anger rumination, a process of thinking repetitively about angry episodes that increases anger. Previous research supports this theory but used measures of general rumination and assessed only the present‐centered awareness component of mindfulness. The present study investigated associations between various aspects of mindfulness, anger rumination, and components of aggression. Method The present study used self‐report measures of these constructs in a cross‐sectional sample of 823 students. Results Structural equation modeling revealed that anger rumination accounts for a significant component of the relationship between mindfulness and aggression, with the largest effect sizes demonstrated for the nonjudgment of inner experiences facet of mindfulness. Conclusion Nonjudgment and present‐centered awareness may influence aggression via reduced anger rumination. The importance of examining mindfulness as a multidimensional construct is discussed.