Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training in Reducing Maladaptive Daydreaming and Rumination Among Students With Childhood Trauma

Masoumeh Ahmadpour Hosseinizadeh; Fateme Dehghani-Arani; Saeid Najarpour Ostadi

Authors

Masoumeh Ahmadpour Hosseinizadeh Master of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5910-5888
Fateme Dehghani-Arani Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6641-2345
Saeid Najarpour Ostadi Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Shab.C., Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5704-9601

Keywords:

childhood trauma, maladaptive daydreaming, mindfulness, rumination, university students

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training in reducing maladaptive daydreaming and rumination among university students with a history of childhood trauma.

Method and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all students with a history of childhood trauma enrolled at Islamic Azad University branches in Tehran during the 2023–2024 academic year. Using convenience sampling, 30 eligible participants were selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received mindfulness training based on the protocol developed by Segal et al. in eight 150-minute sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected at the pretest and posttest stages using the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale developed by Somer et al. (2016) and the Ruminative Responses Scale developed by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1991). Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS, with the significance level set at .05.

Findings: The results of the analysis of covariance indicated that mindfulness training significantly reduced maladaptive daydreaming (p < .001) and rumination (p < .001) in the experimental group compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Mindfulness training, by enhancing moment-to-moment awareness and reducing cognitive engagement with trauma-related thoughts and memories, may constitute an effective intervention for reducing maladaptive daydreaming and rumination among university students with a history of childhood trauma. The application of this approach in university counseling centers and in preventive and therapeutic programs addressing problems associated with childhood trauma is recommended.

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