Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste
Background: Mental health workers in post-conflict settings such as Timor Leste face distinct stressors stemming from limited human resources, underdeveloped systems, and ongoing socio-political instability, all of which increase the risk of psychological distress among these professionals. Conseque...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer Nature
2025
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/1/120356.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848868167165673472 |
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| author | Quintao, Gaspar Leite, Noviyanti Carla Tilman Tze, Nicholas Ping Pang Boon, Eugene Yau Koh Jhia, Mae Woo Abdul Rahman Sabri, Marina Kah, Mun Wan Noor Hadi, Noor Melissa Ming, Gui Tan Kamu, Assis Chong, Mun Ho |
| author_facet | Quintao, Gaspar Leite, Noviyanti Carla Tilman Tze, Nicholas Ping Pang Boon, Eugene Yau Koh Jhia, Mae Woo Abdul Rahman Sabri, Marina Kah, Mun Wan Noor Hadi, Noor Melissa Ming, Gui Tan Kamu, Assis Chong, Mun Ho |
| author_sort | Quintao, Gaspar |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Mental health workers in post-conflict settings such as Timor Leste face distinct stressors stemming from limited human resources, underdeveloped systems, and ongoing socio-political instability, all of which increase the risk of psychological distress among these professionals. Consequently, constructs such as mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies are essential not only theoretically significant, but also serve as practical targets for strengthening mental resilience of these professionals in these high-burden environments. This study aims to investigate the relationships between mindfulness, cognitive fusion, coping strategies, and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) among mental health workers in Timor Leste. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving a convenience sample of 37 mental health workers from PRADET and the national referral hospital in Dili. Mindfulness was assessed using the Toronto Mindfulness Questionnaire (TMQ), psychological flexibility using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), cognitive fusion was measured using the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), and coping strategies were evaluated using the DBT-Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL). Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). All scales were using English validated versions. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between Depression and Anxiety (Spearman’s rho = 0.649, p < 0.001), and between Depression and Stress (Spearman’s rho = 0.753, p < 0.001). Depression was also significantly correlated with Cognitive Fusion (Spearman’s rho = 0.445, p = 0.006) and Blaming Others (Spearman’s rho = 0.422, p = 0.009), and negatively correlated with Coping Strategies (Skills Use) (Spearman’s rho =– 0.341, p = 0.039). Anxiety and Stress were highly correlated (Spearman’s rho = 0.855, p < 0.001), and both were significantly associated with Cognitive Fusion, General Dysfunctional Coping, and Blaming Others. Mindfulness (De-Centering) showed a strong positive correlation with Mindfulness (Curiosity) (Spearman’s rho = 0.770, p < 0.001), and was also weakly associated with General Dysfunctional Coping (Spearman’s rho = 0.343, p = 0.038). Overall, the results suggest that higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress are linked to greater cognitive fusion and dysfunctional coping, while effective coping skills are negatively associated with depression. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical roles of cognitive fusion and coping strategies in predicting psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste. Cognitive fusion and dysfunctional coping strategies were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Adaptive coping strategies, such as skills use, were linked to lower levels of depression. Given the high risk of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress disorder in this population, targeted interventions promoting mindfulness and adaptive coping skills are essential. Addressing these factors can enhance resilience and well-being among mental health professionals, ultimately improving the quality of care provided to their clients. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:48:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-120356 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:48:05Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1203562025-10-01T00:27:05Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/ Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste Quintao, Gaspar Leite, Noviyanti Carla Tilman Tze, Nicholas Ping Pang Boon, Eugene Yau Koh Jhia, Mae Woo Abdul Rahman Sabri, Marina Kah, Mun Wan Noor Hadi, Noor Melissa Ming, Gui Tan Kamu, Assis Chong, Mun Ho Background: Mental health workers in post-conflict settings such as Timor Leste face distinct stressors stemming from limited human resources, underdeveloped systems, and ongoing socio-political instability, all of which increase the risk of psychological distress among these professionals. Consequently, constructs such as mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies are essential not only theoretically significant, but also serve as practical targets for strengthening mental resilience of these professionals in these high-burden environments. This study aims to investigate the relationships between mindfulness, cognitive fusion, coping strategies, and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) among mental health workers in Timor Leste. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving a convenience sample of 37 mental health workers from PRADET and the national referral hospital in Dili. Mindfulness was assessed using the Toronto Mindfulness Questionnaire (TMQ), psychological flexibility using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), cognitive fusion was measured using the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), and coping strategies were evaluated using the DBT-Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL). Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). All scales were using English validated versions. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between Depression and Anxiety (Spearman’s rho = 0.649, p < 0.001), and between Depression and Stress (Spearman’s rho = 0.753, p < 0.001). Depression was also significantly correlated with Cognitive Fusion (Spearman’s rho = 0.445, p = 0.006) and Blaming Others (Spearman’s rho = 0.422, p = 0.009), and negatively correlated with Coping Strategies (Skills Use) (Spearman’s rho =– 0.341, p = 0.039). Anxiety and Stress were highly correlated (Spearman’s rho = 0.855, p < 0.001), and both were significantly associated with Cognitive Fusion, General Dysfunctional Coping, and Blaming Others. Mindfulness (De-Centering) showed a strong positive correlation with Mindfulness (Curiosity) (Spearman’s rho = 0.770, p < 0.001), and was also weakly associated with General Dysfunctional Coping (Spearman’s rho = 0.343, p = 0.038). Overall, the results suggest that higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress are linked to greater cognitive fusion and dysfunctional coping, while effective coping skills are negatively associated with depression. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical roles of cognitive fusion and coping strategies in predicting psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste. Cognitive fusion and dysfunctional coping strategies were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Adaptive coping strategies, such as skills use, were linked to lower levels of depression. Given the high risk of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress disorder in this population, targeted interventions promoting mindfulness and adaptive coping skills are essential. Addressing these factors can enhance resilience and well-being among mental health professionals, ultimately improving the quality of care provided to their clients. Springer Nature 2025 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/1/120356.pdf Quintao, Gaspar and Leite, Noviyanti Carla Tilman and Tze, Nicholas Ping Pang and Boon, Eugene Yau Koh and Jhia, Mae Woo and Abdul Rahman Sabri, Marina and Kah, Mun Wan and Noor Hadi, Noor Melissa and Ming, Gui Tan and Kamu, Assis and Chong, Mun Ho (2025) Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste. Discover Mental Health, 5 (1). art. no. 116. pp. 1-14. ISSN 2731-4383 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44192-025-00253-y?error=cookies_not_supported&code=72748d2a-9c6a-45b6-b6ff-2c03741f7f7e 10.1007/s44192-025-00253-y |
| spellingShingle | Quintao, Gaspar Leite, Noviyanti Carla Tilman Tze, Nicholas Ping Pang Boon, Eugene Yau Koh Jhia, Mae Woo Abdul Rahman Sabri, Marina Kah, Mun Wan Noor Hadi, Noor Melissa Ming, Gui Tan Kamu, Assis Chong, Mun Ho Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste |
| title | Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste |
| title_full | Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste |
| title_fullStr | Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste |
| title_full_unstemmed | Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste |
| title_short | Navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in Timor Leste |
| title_sort | navigating the shadows: the impact of mindfulness, cognitive fusion, and coping strategies on psychological distress among mental health workers in timor leste |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120356/1/120356.pdf |