Self-determination and Mindfulness in Coping with Post-pandemic Psychological Distress

Authors : Numan Turan

Pages : 1744-1786

Doi:10.29299/kefad.1263523

View : 147 | Download : 112

Publication Date : 2023-12-21

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Self-determination and mindfulness are found in literature to be predicting wellbeing and as protective factors against psychological problems. The present research examines mindfulness as a mediator of self-determination (need satisfaction vs. frustration) in predicting psychological distress. In addition, the participants’ perceived impact of the Coronavirus disease (low vs. high) was examined as the moderator. The present research used self-report instruments to collect data from a Turkish community sample in a cross-sectional design (N= 468, Mage= 26.77; SDage = 7.54). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used in testing the mediator role of mindfulness in the relationship between self-determination and psychological distress. Moderation analysis was tested through the differences in direct and indirect relationships. The findings showed that mindfulness and need satisfaction predicted lower psychological distress, and need frustration predicted higher psychological distress. Psychological distress was significantly higher among the participants with high impact than low impact. Mindfulness mediated the relationship of need satisfaction with psychological distress, yet mindfulness did not mediate the relationship of need frustration and psychological distress. The indirect and direct relationships did not differ among the high and low impact participants. Potential implications for counseling and research are discussed.
Keywords : öz belirlenim, temel ihtiyaçlar, farkındalık, psikolojik stres, COVID