The Influence of Childhood Maltreatment and Trait Mindfulness on the Mental Health of Emerging Adults

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (2020), over one million children are exposed to maltreatment annually (Norman, Hawkley, Ball, Bernston, & Cacioppo, 2013). Exposure to maltreatment in childhood is associated with multiple negative outcomes in adulthood, such as anxiety, depression, impairments in functioning, and lower levels of overall achievement. This study investigates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and its influence on depression, anxiety, and trait mindfulness. In this study, multiple regression analyses were used to determine if a moderating relationship exists between childhood maltreatment, trait mindfulness, and symptom severity of depression and anxiety in university students. Major findings can be used to inform clinical treatment and interventions used to meet the needs of this vulnerable population as they matriculate through college.