Interpersonal Mindfulness Questionnaire: Scale Development and Validation

Tri-process model of interpersonal mindfulness: theoretical framework and study protocol

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 14% of the US population practice mindfulness meditation. The effects of mindfulness training on physical and mental health have been consistently documented, but its effects on interpersonal relationships are not yet fully understood or investigated. Interpersonal relationships play a crucial role in the wellbeing of individuals and society, and therefore, warrants further study. The aim of this paper is to present a tri-process theoretical model of interpersonal mindfulness and a study protocol to validate the proposed model. Specifically, according to the proposed model, mindfulness meditation training increases the self-awareness, self-regulation, and prosociality of those receiving the training, which ameliorates the quality of interpersonal interactions and the socioemotional support provided to other individuals. Finally, better socioemotional support increases the support receiver's ability to regulate their emotions. Using a multiphasic longitudinal design involving 640 participants randomized into 480 dyads, the proposed protocol aims to validate the tri-process model and to investigate its mechanisms of actions. The proposed study has important theoretical and social implications and will allow devising new and more effective interpersonal mindfulness programs with applications in multiple fields.

Parents' history of childhood interpersonal trauma and postpartum depressive symptoms: The moderating role of mindfulness

Postpartum depression is the most commonly reported mental health issue among parents welcoming a new child, with long-term impacts on the well-being of their family. Survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma (CIT) appear to be more vulnerable with higher rates of postpartum depressive symptoms. Yet, studies are needed on protective mechanism that can buffer the link between CIT and postpartum depressive symptoms, to identify factors that can promote resilience in CIT survivors as they navigate this demanding period. Studies also need to include both parents to adopt a comprehensive dyadic perspective. This study examined the moderating role of mindfulness, a protective mechanism documented as key for both postpartum mental health and trauma processing, in the association between CIT and postpartum depressive symptoms in parental couples. A randomly selected sample of 843 couples who recently welcomed a new child completed self-reported measures of CIT, dispositional mindfulness and postpartum depression. Path analyses showed that more experience of CIT was associated with higher levels of postpartum depression, but this association was weaker in parents with higher dispositional mindfulness. Exploration of mindfulness facets yielded that higher disposition to act with awareness and observation acted as specific buffers, for fathers and mothers respectively. In addition, more CIT reported by one parent was linked with their partner's higher depressive symptoms. These findings shed light on the protective role of mindfulness during the postpartum period to protect against postpartum depression in parents who are CIT survivors and their partners.