Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness as predictors of analogue post‐traumatic stress

Objectives Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness are associated with post‐traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) after traumatic events. This study was a preliminary attempt to examine (1) associations of experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness with post‐traumatic stress ( PTS ) associated with negative, but not necessarily traumatizing, life events (‘analogue’ PTS ), (2) the role of these variables in the context of neuroticism as well as worry and rumination – two other regulatory strategies associated with PTS , and (3) the impact of pre‐trauma tendencies towards experiential acceptance and mindfulness on analogue PTS . Design Data were obtained from two distinct student samples. A first sample provided cross‐sectional data. In a second sample, indices of acceptance, mindfulness, neuroticism, worry, and rumination were tapped at inclusion into the study, and analogue PTS and confrontation with stressful life events were subsequently assessed 1 year later. Results In the cross‐sectional sample, higher acceptance and mindfulness were associated with lower analogue PTS , even when controlling for neuroticism, worry, and rumination. In the prospective sample, pre‐trauma mindfulness (but not experiential acceptance, neuroticism, worry, and rumination) assessed at baseline predicted levels of analogue PTS 1 year later. Conclusions Findings suggest that experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness are incrementally related to PTS beyond neuroticism, worry, and rumination and that pre‐trauma trait‐mindfulness may be a resilience factor protecting against severe PTS . Practitioner points We examined associations of experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness with post‐traumatic stress ( PTS ) associated with negative life events (‘analogue’ PTS ). Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness were associated with concurrent analogue PTS , over and above neuroticism, worry, and rumination. Pre‐trauma trait‐mindfulness (but not pre‐trauma experiential acceptance) significantly predicted analogue PTS in prospective analyses. Enhancing mindfulness skills could be a useful tool to reduce the risk of PTS in trauma‐exposed samples.