Co-development of mindful awareness and Chinese youth's mental health problem: Based on parallel-process latent growth curve model

Abstract

BackgroundThis study investigated the natural development pattern of mindful awareness and its relation with mental health in a sample of Chinese youth. Methods1,483 students (57.11% boys) from fourth to ninth grade (Mage = 11.18 ± 1.78, Wave 1) participated in the study. Students participated in up to 3 waves of assessment, each spaced approximately 6 months. The data were collected by the Chinese version of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale-Children (MAAS-C), the Chinese Version of 10-item CES-D Depression Scale (CESD-10), and the Academic Pressure subscale of Inventory of Influencing Factors of Trait Anxiety for Secondary School Students (IIFTAS). ResultsCross-sectionally, higher graders scored lower mindful awareness than lower graders. Results of latent growth curve analysis showed a slight decrease, but not at a significant level, of mindful awareness in the longitudinal measurement. Results from the parallel-process model indicated that decreases in mindful awareness significantly predicted children and adolescents' depressive emotions and academic pressure. LimitationsAs a longitudinal study, the time points were insufficient and all variables were assessed by self-report measures. ConclusionMindful awareness might be a significant protector for youth when co-developing with mental health problems.