The influence of mindfulness, self‐compassion, psychological flexibility, and posttraumatic stress disorder on disability and quality of life over time in war veterans
Abstract
Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) strongly predicts greater disability and lower quality of life (QOL). Mindfulness‐based and other third‐wave behavior therapy interventions improve well‐being by enhancing mindfulness, self‐compassion, and psychological flexibility. We hypothesized that these mechanisms of therapeutic change would comprise a single latent factor that would predict disability and QOL after accounting for PTSD symptom severity. Method: Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans (N = 117) completed a study of predictors of successful reintegration. Principal axis factor analysis tested whether mindfulness, self‐compassion, and psychological flexibility comprised a single latent factor. Hierarchical regression tested whether this factor predicted disability and QOL 1 year later. Results: Mindfulness, self‐compassion, and psychological flexibility comprised a single factor that predicted disability and QOL after accounting for PTSD symptom severity. PTSD symptoms remained a significant predictor of disability but not QOL. Conclusions: Targeting these mechanisms may help veterans achieve functional recovery, even in the presence of PTSD symptoms.
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One study found preliminary evidence that mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility together could predict less disability and better quality of life in a sample of war veterans.
“One study found preliminary evidence that mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility together could predict less disability and better quality of life in a sample of war veterans. 41”
From Academic stress, mindfulness-related skills and mental health in international university students. (2024) · cites this paper as [41]
Exposure within ACT occurs as the individual embraces behaviors that promote psychological flexibility, which in turn enhances life satisfaction and well-being.
“Exposure within ACT occurs as the individual embraces behaviors that promote psychological flexibility, which in turn enhances life satisfaction and well-being (Meyer et al., 2018a).”
From Group-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD in a HMO Psychiatry Clinic: An Open Trial (2024) · cites this paper as Meyer et al., 2018a
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Group-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD in a HMO Psychiatry Clinic: An Open Trial
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“Exposure within ACT occurs as the individual embraces behaviors that promote psychological flexibility, which in turn enhances life satisfaction and well-being (Meyer et al., 2018a).”
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- Authors
- Meyer, E. C., Frankfurt, S. B., Kimbrel, N. A., DeBeer, B. B., Gulliver, S. B., & Morrisette, S. B.
- Affiliations
- Texas A&M Health Science Center (US)
- Duke Medical Center (US)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Corresponding author
- Meyer, Eric C.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-02-28
- Volume
- 74
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1272-1280
- ISSN
- 0021-9762 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-4679
- OpenAlex
- W2790674316
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 6.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Rehabilitation Research and Development Service of the VA Office of Research and Development (I01RX00304-01A1, I01RX000304-01A4)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Keywords
- mindfulness, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, post-traumatic stress disorder, war veterans, disability, quality of life, third-wave behavior therapy, functional recovery, reintegration, PTSD symptom severity
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Afghanistan, Empathy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Veterans, Iraq War, 2003-2011, Mindfulness
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