Mindfulness and acceptance in relation to Behavioral Inhibition System sensitivity and psychological distress

The current study examined whether two adaptive emotion regulation strategies, mindfulness and acceptance, moderate the relationship between Behavioral Inhibition System sensitivity and psychological distress. Participants were 467 students at a large Midwestern university. Data were collected with paper-and-pencil questionnaires and analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression analyses. A significant positive association was observed between Behavioral Inhibition System sensitivity and psychological distress, with acceptance and mindfulness facets (Nonreactivity and Observing) significantly moderating this association. Findings suggest mindfulness- and acceptance-based strategies may buffer the influence of Behavioral Inhibition System sensitivity on the development and maintenance of psychological distress in nonclinical populations.