The Mediating Roles of Affect and Coping Strategy in the Relationship Between Trait Mindfulness and Burnout Among French Healthcare Professionals

The present study explored the mediating roles of affects and coping strategies in the relationship between mindfulness and burnout among a sample of French healthcare professionals. A total of 180 professionals (mean age = 30.10 years) from various health and social care centers in different parts of France completed a questionnaire that contained measures of mindfulness, emotional experience (positive vs. negative affects), coping strategies, and the three dimensions of burnout. Results indicated that trait mindfulness protects healthcare professionals from burnout (especially the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions). In addition, coping strategies and affects mediate the link between trait mindfulness and emotional exhaustion. More specifically, participants with a low degree of mindfulness reported more negative affects and greater use of emotion-focused coping strategies. These findings suggest that trait mindfulness and positive affects help these professionals maintain a high level of personal accomplishment through the use of problem-focused coping strategies. Based on our results, recommendations could be drawn up to protect healthcare professionals from burnout and enhance their personal accomplishment. Public Significance Statement This study puts forward the idea that mindfuness, considered a personality trait, protects against burnout. The feelings of positive affects and the treatment of stressful situations by the problem promotes this protection.