Mindfulness facets distinctively predict depressive symptoms after two years: The mediating role of rumination

• All mindfulness facets except for observe showed test–retest reliability in healthy subjects.
• Non-judge was the only mindfulness facet that predicted depressive symptoms 2 years later.
• Rumination fully mediated the impact of non-judge on depressive symptoms over time.

Despite promising theory and numerous intervention studies, longitudinal explorations of the protective properties of mindful disposition with respect to psychopathology are still scarce. The present study tested the theorized protective role of mindfulness facets with respect to depressive symptoms and rumination over time in a non-clinical sample (N = 41; 22 females; age = 24.4 (4.8), range = 19–40 years). The longitudinal design involved two assessment time points, with a span of almost 2 years (mean = 20.7 (2.8), range = 16–27 months). At both time points participants completed questionnaires assessing trait mindfulness (FFMQ), trait rumination (RRS), and depressive symptoms (CES-D). Results documented the prospective protective function of nonjudge (a non-evaluative stance toward thoughts and feelings) at Time 1, above and beyond the other four facets with respect to depressive symptoms and rumination at Time 2. Depressive rumination fully mediated the impact of nonjudge at Time 1 on depressive symptoms at Time 2. Findings suggest that non-judging skills play a critical role in the improved wellbeing associated with mindfulness training.