Mindfulness and positive affect: Cross-sectional, prospective intervention, and real-time relations

Abstract

This study tested trait- and state-mindfulness and trait- and state-positive affect (PA) relations within a cross-sectional study (Study 1; N = 174, 76% women, Mean (SD)_age = 24 (2.7) years) and a randomized controlled 4-session mindfulness intervention study (Study 2; N = 51, 65.4% women, Mean (SD)_age = 25 (4.3) years). Study 1 : levels of trait-mindfulness and trait-like PA were related, as theorized, only among participants with meditation experience. Study 2 : Study 2 is a secondary analysis of a mindfulness intervention study [Tanay, Lotan, & Bernstein (2012). Salutary proximal processes and distal mood and anxiety vulnerability outcomes of mindfulness training: A Pilot preventive intervention. Behavior Therapy, 43, 492–505]. Unexpectedly, reduced levels of trait-like PA were observed pre- to post-intervention across conditions. No significant between-group mean differences were observed post-intervention. However, as expected, change in trait-mindfulness from pre- to post-intervention predicted change in trait-like PA among the intervention but not control condition. Second, levels of state-mindfulness during mindfulness meditation were positively related to levels of state-PA. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings for mindfulness and PA are discussed.

Keywords:

• mindfulness
• positive affect

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Navot Naor, Iftach Amir, and Yaara Assayag for their assistance in carrying out this study. Dr Bernstein recognizes the funding support from the Israeli Council for Higher Education Yigal Alon Fellowship, the European Union FP-7 Marie Curie Fellowship International Reintegration Grant, the National Institute on Drug Abuse LRP, Psychology Beyond Borders Mission Award, the Israel Science Foundation, and the Rothschild-Caesarea Foundation's Returning Scientists Project at the University of Haifa. Ms. Jislin recognizes the support of the University of Haifa Graduate School. Ms. Tanay recognizes the support from the President's Scholarship for Outstanding Students and The Craps Charitable Trust Scholarship at the University of Haifa.

Notes

1. According to dominant conceptual and related operational models of PA discussed above, we classified self-report measures of PA referring to current mood or mood in the past hour as reflecting state-like PA; and self-report measures referring to mood ‘generally’ or in the past week to past months as reflecting trait-like PA. In studies that did not report whether state- or trait-like PA was measured, we refer to PA broadly.