The relationship between mindfullness and emotion regulation among Turkish adults

Mindfulness is among the most frequently studied subject in foreign literature. It is because of the results reported by many scientific studies that that mindfulness has an important effect on psychological and physical health. Despite its popularity abroad, the concept of mindfulness is a relatively new study area in Turkey. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and emotion regulation which is thought as ananother important variable related to psychological health. For this purpose, a study group consisting of 286 people was reached via social media, mail groups and forums of professional organizations. Participants filled online Mindful Attention Awareness Scale developed by Brown and Ryan in 2003, Difficulties of Emotion Regulation Scale developed by Gratz and Roemer in 2004, and Personal Information Form developed by the researcher. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22.00 ( Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and as a result, participants' level of mindfulness was related to difficulties in emotion regulation negatively. Furthermore same result was found between level of mindfulness and clarity, acceptance, strategies, impulse and goals subscales. Among demographic variables, it was found that gender, marital status, age, the person living with, psychiatric illness, and using psychiatric pills had effect of mindfulness. Lastly, in addition to these demographic variables education and income level was found having effect on emotion regulation.