Mindfulness is linked with affectivity in daily life: An experience-sampling study with meditators

Objectives An increasing number of findings indicate associations between mindfulness and affect as well as mindfulness and stress. Most studies have conceptualized and measured these variables on a trait level, often in student samples or clinical contexts. Methods We adopted an experience-sampling approach to measure mindfulness, affect, and stress repeatedly as states in naturalistic environments. In assessing mindfulness, we factorized items from the trait questionnaire CHIME to conceptualize state mindfulness, finding two mindfulness facets labeled Awareness and Acceptance. Affect was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and perceived stress was rated by a single item. Data was gathered by a smartphone app that prompted participants six times a day for 10 consecutive days. Using hierarchical regression, we examined associations at the same time-point as well as with time lags, in order to also elucidate Granger causal relationships. Fifty-six practicing meditators participated in this study. Results Concerning the associations of state mindfulness facets with affectivity at the same time, both Awareness and Acceptance were linked with positive affect and negatively with stress. Negative affect was associated negatively with Acceptance. The lagged analyses suggested the Granger causal interpretation that Acceptance reduced negative affect. We also found reversed lagged effects, in that positive affect attenuated subsequent Awareness and negative affect subsequent Acceptance. Conclusions The bidirectional Granger causal effects between mindfulness and affect challenged a one-sided interpretation of mindfulness-affect associations. One implication for psychotherapy may be to clarify why mindfulness and resilience (i.e., therapists’ hardiness with respect to adversity) are properties of efficient therapists