Self-Compassion as a Mediator in the Effect of Dispositional Mindfulness on Anxiety and Aggressiveness in College Students with Left-Behind Experience

Few studies have comprehensively explored the mechanism of the association between dispositional mindfulness and the process of internalization and externalization. Given that dispositional mindfulness can enhance the level of self-acceptance, the present study investigated the role of self-compassion in the effect of dispositional mindfulness on anxiety and aggressiveness among college students with left-behind experience (LBE). A total of 385 Chinese college students with LBE reported their level of dispositional mindfulness, anxiety symptoms, aggressiveness, and self-compassion. Dispositional mindfulness was negatively associated with anxiety and aggressiveness after controlling for gender, age, and whether they are the only child in family. Additionally, self-compassion partially mediated the link between dispositional mindfulness and anxiety, but it didn't mediate the link between dispositional mindfulness and aggressiveness. The findings highlight the importance of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion on reducing internalizing and externalizing problems of college students with left-behind experience and also provide coping strategies for the intervention of this special group.