Negative affect and psychotic-like experiences in social workers: mechanisms and the buffering role of mindfulness
By
Airu Chen
RuiZhong Zhu
Tan Fuqiang
Yaozu Shen
July 3, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Relationship Between Negative Emotions and Psychotic-like Experiences in Social Workers: Exploring Mechanisms and Mindfulness as a Protective Factor
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Psychotic-like Experiences (PLEs) Key Mechanisms Negative Emotion, Cognitive Exhaustion, Rumination, Ego Depletion, Loneliness, Mindfulness Target Population Frontline social workers in China Care Setting Occupational mental health in social work
Key Highlights
Negative Emotion is directly associated with Psychotic-like Experiences (PLEs). Cognitive Exhaustion and Rumination mediate the relationship between Negative Emotion and PLEs. Mindfulness serves as a protective factor, weakening the associations between Negative Emotion and PLEs. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess levels of Negative Emotion and Psychotic-like Experiences in social workers. Management
Implement systemic emotional support and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regularly evaluate the mental health status of social workers to mitigate resource loss risks. Risks
Chronic Negative Emotion can lead to increased PLEs and cognitive-emotional overload. Patient & Prescribing Data
Social workers experiencing occupational stress.
Mindfulness practices can alleviate the impact of Negative Emotion on PLEs.
Clinical Best Practices
Promote Mindfulness as a resource for social workers. Address psychological distress proactively to enhance retention and service quality. Related Resources & Content
