# Examining the relationships between mindfulness, emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety: a structural equation modeling approach

## TL;DR

This study explores how mindfulness relates to emotion regulation and mental health in Saudi adults, finding that mindfulness can both help and worsen psychological symptoms depending on regulation skills.

## Contribution

The study introduces a structural equation model to examine mindfulness's dual role in emotion regulation and psychological outcomes in a Saudi cultural context.

## Key findings

- Mindfulness was linked to higher cognitive reappraisal and lower expressive suppression.
- Cognitive reappraisal reduced depression and anxiety, while expressive suppression increased distress.
- Mindfulness showed small direct positive associations with depression and anxiety after accounting for emotion regulation.

## Abstract

This study examined the pathways linking mindfulness to emotion regulation and psychological symptoms among adults in Saudi Arabia.

A total of 306 adults completed validated measures of mindfulness, emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression), depression, and anxiety. Structural equation modeling was used to test a hypothesized model in which emotion regulation mediated the relationship between mindfulness and psychological wellbeing.

Mindfulness was positively associated with cognitive reappraisal but unrelated to expressive suppression. Cognitive reappraisal predicted lower levels of depression and anxiety, whereas expressive suppression was associated with higher psychological distress. Unexpectedly, mindfulness demonstrated small positive direct associations with depression and anxiety once emotion regulation variables were included, suggesting partial suppression effects. Mediation analyses indicated that emotion regulation partially mediated the mindfulness-symptom relationship, mediation, though total effects were nonsignificant.

The findings highlight the dual role of mindfulness, which may enhance emotional awareness while simultaneously increasing sensitivity to distress when regulation skills are limited. Culturally, the results emphasize the need to adapt mindfulness-based interventions to align with Saudi values and traditions. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and explore culturally grounded forms of mindfulness practice to better understand these.