Changes in Mindfulness Skills and Treatment Response Among Veterans in Residential PTSD Treatment

Recent research has explored the use of mindfulness principles as a component in treatments for various mental health difficulties, although limited research has explored the relationships between mindfulness and PTSD. Therefore, the current study assessed the relationships between mindfulness skills and PTSD and depression severity for a veteran sample (N = 149) in a residential PTSD treatment program. Although overall mindfulness skills did not change significantly over the course of treatment, specific subscales of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS) were negatively associated with clinician-rated measures of PTSD and depression. Veterans who reported greater improvement on Acting with Awareness skills over the course of treatment had lower levels of clinician-rated PTSD and depression at posttreatment.