ABSTRACT
Previous studies have found that emotional neglect in childhood can affect a person’s level of mindfulness, and mindfulness is closely related to adult coping styles, but there is a lack of research on the relationship between the three concepts. The objective of this study was to test whether the level of mindfulness mediates the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and adult coping styles. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) were administered to 691 Chinese subjects to investigate the relationship between childhood emotional neglect, mindfulness levels and coping styles. Childhood emotional neglect was negatively correlated with mindfulness, positively correlated with positive coping style and negatively correlated with negative coping styles. Furthermore, mindfulness serves as a complete mediator between childhood emotional neglect and negative coping styles. Mindfulness interventions may assist individuals who experienced emotional neglect during childhood in developing healthier coping strategies.