Objectives Mindfulness, positive self-related attitudes and secure attachment have been shown to protect against psychopathology during adol
Objectives Mindfulness, positive self-related attitudes and secure attachment have been shown to protect against psychopathology during adolescence, but it is unknown how these factors are related to each other and which are most strongly linked to psychopathology symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional research design was used with a large sample of adolescents (aged 14 to 18 years; n = 1660) that completed validated measures of mindfulness, self-related attitudes, attachment, depression, anxiety and anger. We employed network analytic methods in order to better understand associations among these variables. Results Mindfulness was linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety while self-reassurance was linked to lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of anger. Self-hate was linked to depression. In turn, self-reassurance and self-hate were differentially linked to facets of attachment, particularly trust in parents. Conclusions Interventions combining mindfulness practice and clinical techniques based on attachment theory, which operate on different psychological levels, may improve self-related attitudes, which in turn can help ameliorate depression and anxiety in adolescents. Alternatively, interventions directly targeting self-related attitudes, particularly self-reassurance and self-inadequacy, hold promise to achieve positive effects on mental health among adolescents.
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund, Section IV, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Brain function and behavioral mechanisms in psychopathology, Lunds universitet, Medicinska fakulteten, Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, Lund, Sektion IV, Barn- och ungdomspsykiatri, Neurokognitiva funktioner och psykopatologi hos barn och ungdomar, Originator, Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund, Section IV, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Lunds universitet, Medicinska fakulteten, Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, Lund, Sektion IV, Barn- och ungdomspsykiatri, Originator