Testing interdependent self-construal as a moderator between mindfulness, emotion regulation, and psychological health among emerging adults

This study examines the moderating role of interdependent self-construal between mindfulness, emotion regulation, and psychological health, with emotion regulation as a mediator. A total of 187 Chinese emerging adults completed self-reported measures, including mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and interdependent self-construal. Our findings indicate moderation effects of interdependent self-construal between (i) mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal, (ii) cognitive reappraisal and life satisfaction, (iii) expressive suppression and life satisfaction, and (iv) expressive suppression and depressive symptoms. Based on bootstrapping and path analyses, cognitive reappraisal mediated the relation between mindfulness and psychological health, including depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, regardless of the level of interdependent self-construal. In addition, mindfulness was not related to expressive suppression, regardless of the level of interdependent self-construal. Based on these findings, researchers and practitioners should pay attention to the differential associations between mindfulness, emotion regulation strategies, and psychological outcomes as a function of interdependent self-construal during emerging adulthood.