(PS5-B31) The Influence of Mindfulness on the Relationship Between Avoidant Coping and Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of depression has increased substantially. Current COVID-19 research has demonstrated that people are actively engaging in coping strategies to help manage their depressive symptoms (Guo et al. 2021); however, not all coping skills are effective. Avoidant coping is a form of coping involving maladaptive strategies such as self-distraction, substance use, and denial used in attempts to alleviate psychological distress. Previous research has demonstrated that avoidant coping strategies are predictive of depression (Ribadier, 2019). In addition, research has also shown that individuals who use avoidant coping strategies are less likely to engage in mindfulness (Donald & Atkins, 2016). Treatment approaches that utilize mindfulness techniques have been found to be particularly helpful in reducing depressive symptoms (Goldberg et al., 2018). There is little research exploring the relationship between avoidant coping, mindfulness, and depression, and none examining these three variables during the pandemic. The current study examined mindfulness as a mediator between avoidant coping and depression among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants for this Institutional Review Board-approved study were recruited through a series of online flyers (N=400, M_age=25.54 years, 77.1% Female, 19.8 Male, 80.3% White, 7.1% Asian, 5.8% Black, 3.8% multiracial, 7.8% Hispanic). Participants completed self-report surveys that measured avoidant coping, depression, and utilization of mindfulness. A regression analysis was conducted using the SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4) to explore the hypothesis that mindfulness mediates the relationship between avoidant coping and depression. The overall model was significant, F(2, 397)=73.98, p< .001, R2=.16, explaining 16% of the variance. The path between avoidant coping and mindfulness was significant (b=-0.08, p< .001), with increased avoidant coping being associated with less mindfulness. The path between mindfulness and depression was also significant (b=-1.69, p< .001), with decreased mindfulness being associated with increased depression. The path between avoidant coping and depression remained significant (b=.55, p< .001), which indicates that mindfulness acted as a partial mediator. These results indicate that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, those using avoidant coping techniques were more likely to experience increased depressive symptoms, in part due to their lack of engagement in mindfulness strategies. Incorporating mindfulness practices in daily activities may work to decrease depressive symptoms. The public may benefit from psychoeducation about mindfulness strategies and the advantages of engaging in these approaches, particularly related to increasing mental wellness during stressful times.