A multiple mediation structural equation model was used to test the relationship between mindfulness, deliberate rumination, intrusive rumination and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Chinese cancer patients. Data were collected from 309 cancer patients in China (61.2% male, 38.8% female), who completed questionnaires comprising the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Event Related Rumination Inventory and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory. The multiple mediation structural equation model showed that deliberate rumination partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and PTG. However, the mediatory effect of intrusive rumination was not significant. Our findings indicated that deliberate rumination functions as an essential mechanism in the relationship between mindfulness and PTG. The results showed that interventions to increase mindfulness are needed in order to encourage PTG.
Keywords: Mindfulness; deliberate rumination; intrusive rumination; post-traumatic growth.