The mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction in the relationship between trait mindfulness and psychological distress in clinical trainees

ABSTRACT Clinical trainees are especially prone to psychological distress. Mindfulness has shown to promote well-being among health care professionals, yet the mechanisms through which it reduces psychological distress are still uncertain. Self-determination theory suggests that mindfulness allows individuals to be more open and receptive to information from their inner and outer worlds, which facilitates satisfaction of their basic psychological needs (BPNS), considered essential to optimal functioning. However, studies investigating whether BPNS is an actual pathway through which mindfulness reduces psychological distress are limited to cross-sectional designs. This longitudinal study tested a mediation model using data collected among 27 clinical trainees at the beginning (T1) and mid-point of the academic year (T2). Results indicated that BPNS (T1) partially mediates the relationship between trait mindfulness (T1) and psychological distress (T2). Both the direct (β = −.36, 95%CI [−.67; −.05]) and indirect (β = −.27, 95%CI [−.58; −.05]) effects were significant. This model explained a large portion of variance for both needs satisfaction (R 2 = .30) and psychological distress (R 2 = .61). Our results not only yield support to the role of basic psychological needs in clinical trainees’ well-being, but also contribute to the understanding of mindfulness and one of its mechanisms of action.