The effect of psychological flexibility on well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: The multiple mediation role of mindfulness and coping

Paiva, Thiago; Nunes da Silva, Ana; Neto, David Dias; Karekla, Maria; Kassianos, Angelos P.; Gloster, Andrew

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/9826

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Authors

Kassianos, Angelos P.

Gloster, Andrew

Abstract(s)

The COVID-19 pandemic involved a complex set of stressors affecting the health and wellbeing of the population. The understanding of the psychological processes that influence well-being in response to the pandemic and their interrelation is vital. A promising process in understanding the emotional impacts of these stressors is psychological flexibility. This study investigated the effect of psychological flexibility on well-being, both directly and indirectly, via mindfulness and coping strategies. A total of 334 Portuguese adults participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire, including measures of psychological flexibility, wellbeing, mindfulness, and coping strategies. A multiple mediation model studied whether there are conditional indirect effects of mindfulness and coping strategies on well-being. The results showed statistically significant correlations between psychological flexibility, well-being, mindfulness, and coping strategies. Furthermore, we found that mindfulness and coping strategies partly mediate the relationship between psychological flexibility and well-being. Understanding the processes through which psychological flexibility influences well-being in a stressful context is important in comprehending the processes involved in an emotional reaction to a pandemic-like societal event. Mindfulness and coping are shown to be important processes to consider in understanding this phenomenon and designing future responses.

Keywords

Psychological flexibility Mindfulness Coping Mental health Well-being Adversity COVID-19 Acceptance and commitment therapy

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/9826

Citation

Paiva, T.; Silva, A.N.D.; Neto, D.D.; Karekla, M.; Kassianos, A.P.; Gloster, A.(2014). The effect of psychological flexibility on well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: The multiple mediation role of mindfulness and coping. Behavioral Sciences, 14, 545. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070545