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Exploring the Relationship between Worry and Impulsivity in Military Recruits: The Role of Mindfulness and Self‐compassion as Potential Mediators
Author(s) -
Mantzios Michail
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
stress and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1532-2998
pISSN - 1532-3005
DOI - 10.1002/smi.2617
Subject(s) - worry , mindfulness , impulsivity , psychology , self compassion , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , anxiety , psychotherapist , psychiatry
Abstract When military recruits cannot tolerate the stressful environment in the military, they typically become more impulsive. Impulsivity serves to avoid the stress, or, in other words, to release the pressure and cope. Becoming more impulsive, however, is related to damaging behaviours and unsuccessful coping. This research explored the relationship between worry and impulsivity in armed forces, and the possibility of mindfulness and self‐compassion mediating this relationship. Participants ( n = 166), who were in the second week of their basic military training, completed questionnaires in mindfulness, self‐compassion, worry and impulsivity. Results indicated that worry related positively to impulsivity. Further, the negative relationship of worry with mindfulness and self‐compassion mediated the relationship between worry and impulsivity. Findings support the notion that lacking mindfulness and self‐compassion, in excessive worriers, may lead to impulsivity. This research concluded that mindfulness and self‐compassion may assist military personnel who are exposed to highly stressful environments. Alternative explanations and future directions are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.