Psychological inflexibility mediates the relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress in Peruvian parents with school age children

Seclén Uchuya M.L.; Angulo Salas R.J.; Serpa-Barrientos A.; Saintila J. · Discover public health (2026) · DOI: 10.1186/s12982-026-01595-w

Resumen

Objective: This study proposed a mediation model to examine whether psychological inflexibility mediates the relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress in parents of school-aged children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 364 parents. Mindfulness, psychological inflexibility, depression, and anxiety were assessed using validated instruments. Psychological distress was modeled as a latent construct composed of depressive (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms. Reliability was evaluated using alpha and omega coefficients. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed, followed by a mediation model using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Indirect effects were tested using bootstrapping. Results: Psychological inflexibility partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress (a*b = –.27, p <.001). The model explained 58% of the variance in psychological distress (R² =.58). Conclusion: Levels of psychological inflexibility and mindfulness techniques are interrelated with parental psychological distress, and the mediation model provides a significant pathway through which these variables connect with psychological distress. This finding underscores the importance of interventions grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the psychological processes underlying the relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress. © The Author(s) 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Católica Sedes Sapientiae; Universidad Señor de Sipán