Dispositional Mindfulness and Aggression Among Women in Residential Substance Use Treatment

Abstract

There is a large literature on substance misuse and interpersonal aggression, including aggression perpetrated by women in treatment for substance misuse. There is also a growing body of literature on mindfulness and substance use, as well as mindfulness and aggression. However, to date, there has been little research on whether dispositional mindfulness is associated with increased aggression among women in treatment for substance misuse. The current study, therefore, examined whether dispositional mindfulness was associated with aggression, above and beyond substance use and demographic characteristics, in women in residential substance misuse treatment (N = 137). Results showed that lower dispositional mindfulness was associated with increased aggression (physical, verbal, and aggressive attitude). Moreover, this relationship between dispositional mindfulness and aggression remained even after controlling for alcohol problems, drug problems, and age, all known predictors of aggression. Our results provide the first empirical evidence that dispositional mindfulness is negatively associated with aggression in women in treatment for substance misuse. Pending replication, this could have important implications for treatment. Specifically, mindfulness-based interventions may prove helpful for the concurrent treatment of substance misuse and aggression.

Keywords :

• Mindfulness
• aggression
• substance use
• treatment

THE AUTHORS

Ryan C. Shorey, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ohio University. His research focuses primarily on intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly among dating couples, as well as the influence of substance use on IPV perpetration. He is also interested in the role of mindfulness-based interventions in improving substance use and IPV treatment outcomes.

JoAnna Elmquist, M.A., is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her research interests include correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV), the intersection of substance use and intimate partner violence, and child maltreatment.

Scott E. Anderson, PhD, is Clinical Director at Cornerstone of Recovery in Louisville, Tennessee. He has worked as a clinician and/or consultant in a variety of settings during his career, including university counseling centers, chemical dependency treatment centers, private practice, and other agencies. He has over 25 years experience working in the field of addictions. He is particularly interested in merging research and clinical practice.

Gregory L. Stuart, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He is an adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Director of Family Violence Research at Butler Hospital. His research has focused on the comorbidity of intimate partner violence and substance abuse. He is particularly interested in interventions that address both substance use and relationship aggression.