The purpose of this study was to examine a model in which mindful attention awareness mediates cognitive fusion and affects PTSD symptoms. We administered questionnaires measuring trauma experience, mindful attention awareness (MAAS), cognitive fusion (CFQ), and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PCL-5) to 884 university students. Covariance structure analysis of the data of 254 participants who had experienced trauma yielded an acceptable model fit. In other words, as in previous overseas studies, mindful attention awareness had a negative effect on cognitive fusion, and cognitive fusion had a positive effect on PTSD symptoms. The findings suggest that not only increased mindful attention awareness but also defusion can be important in improving PTSD symptoms. In the future, we hope to comprehensively examine various elements of mindfulness, as well as the effectiveness of intervention methods targeting them.
