Anger Rumination as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Aggression: The Utility of a Multidimensional Mindfulness Model.
OBJECTIVE
Mindfulness training reduces anger and aggression, but the mechanisms of these effects are unclear. Mindfulness may reduce anger expression and hostility via reductions in anger rumination, a process of thinking repetitively about angry episodes that increases anger. Previous research supports this theory but used measures of general rumination and assessed only the present-centered awareness component of mindfulness. The present study investigated associations between various aspects of mindfulness, anger rumination, and components of aggression.


METHODS
The present study used self-report measures of these constructs in a cross-sectional sample of 823 students.


RESULTS
Structural equation modeling revealed that anger rumination accounts for a significant component of the relationship between mindfulness and aggression, with the largest effect sizes demonstrated for the nonjudgment of inner experiences facet of mindfulness.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonjudgment and present-centered awareness may influence aggression via reduced anger rumination. The importance of examining mindfulness as a multidimensional construct is discussed.
University of Kentucky.
Jessica R
JR
Peters
University of Kentucky.
Laura M
LM
Smart
University of Kentucky.
Tory A
TA
Eisenlohr-Moul
University of Kentucky.
Paul J
PJ
Geiger
University of Kentucky.
Gregory T
GT
Smith
University of Kentucky.
Ruth A
RA
Baer
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000786:Anger; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011594:Psychometrics; D057566:Self Report; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
aggression; anger; mindfulness; rumination