Rumination as a mediator between mindfulness and emotion regulation difficulties in female combat sports coaches

Introduction: This study examined the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between mindfulness and difficulties in emotion regulation among female combat-sports coaches. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was used with 398 female coaches. Data were collected using self-report measures of mindfulness, rumination, and difficulties in emotion regulation. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted using LISREL, and the indirect effect was tested using the Sobel test. Results: The proposed model demonstrated acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.084, SRMR = 0.076). Mindfulness negatively predicted rumination and difficulties in emotion regulation, whereas rumination positively predicted difficulties in emotion regulation. Rumination partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and difficulties in emotion regulation. Specifically, higher mindfulness was associated with fewer difficulties in emotion regulation both directly and indirectly through lower rumination. Discussion: These findings suggest that rumination is an important cognitive mechanism linking mindfulness to difficulties in emotion regulation in high-demand coaching contexts. The study highlights the need to integrate rumination-focused strategies with mindfulness-based approaches in psychological support programs for female combat-sports coaches.