The Mediating Role of Trait Mindfulness and Dissociative Experiences in the Relationship between Childhood Emotional Abuse and Problematic Internet Use in Italian Adolescents

There is clear evidence linking trauma, mindfulness, dissociation and problematic internet use (PIU). Nonetheless, littleis known about the role trait mindfulness and dissociative experiences may have in the relationship between childhoodemotional abuse (CEA) and PIU, as well as the role that gender may have in such relationships. In the current research,self-report questionnaires on CEA, trait mindfulness, dissociative experiences and PIU were administered to 1074 Italianadolescents (50% females) aged 14–17 years old, to test whether trait mindfulness and dissociative experiences mediatedthe relationship between CEA and PIU, and whether the proposed mediation was invariant across genders. Furthermore,the main analyses were controlled for background variables. The findings highlighted significant associations between alldirect and indirect paths and invariance of the mediation model across boys and girls. The results of this study highlightthat emotionally abused boys and girls with high levels of dissociation and inadequate mindful skills may be moreexposed to dysfunctional online activities. Hence, developing dissociation-focused and mindfulness-based interventionsfor emotionally abused adolescents may be clinically effective when building tailored approaches for the prevention andmanagement of PIU. Further implications are discussed.