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. 2020 Nov 25;17(23):8764.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17238764.

Examining the Associations between Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Psychosomatic Functioning, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

Benita Wielgus  1 , Witold Urban  2 , Aleksandra Patriak  3 , Łukasz Cichocki  4
Affiliations

Examining the Associations between Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Psychosomatic Functioning, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

Benita Wielgus et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Social distancing plays a leading role in controlling the spread of coronavirus. However, prolonged lockdown can lead to negative consequences in terms of mental health. The goal of the research is to examine the relationship between anxiety and general psychosomatic functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of psychological flexibility and mindfulness is also considered. Variables were measured with self-report questionnaires and symptom checklists. The sample included 170 people (M = 27.79, SD = 8.16). Pearson's correlation, stepwise regression, and path analysis were conducted. The results showed a significant positive relationship between state anxiety and somatic and psychological responses to the pandemic. Path analysis revealed that mindfulness had a direct negative impact on and decreased the level of state anxiety (b = -0.22, p = 0.002), whereas psychological flexibility influenced the variable indirectly (b = 0.23, p = 0.002) by enhancing psychosomatic functioning (b = -0.64, p < 0.001). Psychological flexibility and mindfulness may mediate the development of mental disorders and facilitate achieving overall wellbeing. The study points to the usefulness of mindfulness practice as a form of self-help with anxiety symptoms; this is crucial during the pandemic because contact with clients is restricted.

Keywords: COVID-19-related stress; anxiety; coronavirus disease (COVID-19); mindfulness; psychological flexibility.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The path analysis model with standardized beta weighting for psychological flexibility, mindfulness, psychosomatic functioning, and anxiety (state and trait). Note: ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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