Conceptualizing Mindfulness and Acceptance as Components of Psychological Resilience to Trauma

• Published in: Trauma, violence & abuse Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 220 - 235
• Main Authors: Thompson, Rachel W., Arnkoff, Diane B., Glass, Carol R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA Sage Publications, Inc 01-10-2011; SAGE Publications; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Acceptance; Adaptation, Psychological; Adjustment; Avoidance; Avoidance behavior; Coping strategies; Crime Victims - psychology; Emotions; Etiology; Exposure; Female; Humans; Life Change Events; Male; Methodological problems; Mindfulness; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychological distress; Psychopathology; Resilience; Resilience, Psychological; Reviews; Self Concept; Severity of Illness Index; Social Identification; Socioeconomic Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Survivors - psychology; Trauma; Violence - psychology; Vulnerability; PTSD; mental health and violence; violence exposure
• ISSN: 1524-8380; 1552-8324
• DOI: 10.1177/1524838011416375

Mindfulness- and acceptance-based conceptualizations of PTSD implicate experiential avoidance and non-mindful behavior in the etiology and maintenance of the disorder. If experiential avoidance is associated with vulnerability to PTSD, then a mindful and accepting orientation toward experience may confer psychological resilience following exposure to trauma. This article examines how mindfulness- and acceptance-based theories of psychopathology relate to risk of and resilience to PTSD. Research is reviewed dealing with the impact of experiential avoidance, avoidant coping, dissociation, acceptance, and mindfulness on PTSD symptom severity and posttraumatic functioning. This review suggests that trait mindfulness and acceptance are associated with greater psychological adjustment following exposure to trauma, while experiential avoidance, persistent dissociation, and coping strategies involving emotional disengagement are associated with greater PTSD symptom severity and related psychopathology. Methodological challenges are explored and suggestions for future research and PTSD prevention programs are discussed.