The relationship of emotion regulation with depression and anxiety symptoms of university students: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness

Introduction: Depression and anxiety are among the most important health related priorities of the today's world. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression and anxiety with emotional regulation considering mediating role of mindfulness. Methods: In a descriptive correlational design among all male and female university students mahdishahr city 350 participants were selected by convenience sampling method. All participants were asked to complete the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ, (as well as, the Depression and Beck Anxiety Scales. Results: Data were extracted from scales and questionnaires and analyzed by The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using AMOS software. Findings were reflected significantly direct paths for emotional regulation on depression (0/53) and anxiety (0/63) symptoms in students. Significantly indirect pathways were evident for emotional regulation on depression and anxiety symptoms through mindfulness skills (0/14) as well. Conclusion: It could be concluded that emotion regulation is associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in the university students while mindfulness skills mediate this relationship. The mindfulness training and emotion regulation skills training is then highly recommended for promoting the psychological problems of students.