Abstract
How best to operationalize the mindfulness construct requires further research. In two related studies, we examined undergraduates’
self-reported ability to maintain their attention toward the process of their breathing during 10- and 15-min practices of
mindful breath meditation, referred to as “Meditation Breath Attention Scores” (MBAS). MBAS were positively correlated with
self-reported interest in and awareness of the breath during both 10- and 15-min meditations and negatively correlated with
self-reported difficulties maintaining attention toward breathing (i.e., mind wandering) during the 15-min meditation. MBAS
were not positively correlated with the Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS) measures of mindful “decentering” and “curiosity.” In study 2 but not study 1, MBAS were positively correlated with
the five-factor mindfulness trait “Acting with Awareness.” Secondary analyses replicated an association between measures of
trait mindfulness and trait difficulty letting go of depressive thoughts, although MBAS and the TMS measures were unrelated
with trait difficulty letting go of depressive thoughts. Future research directions are discussed.
self-reported ability to maintain their attention toward the process of their breathing during 10- and 15-min practices of
mindful breath meditation, referred to as “Meditation Breath Attention Scores” (MBAS). MBAS were positively correlated with
self-reported interest in and awareness of the breath during both 10- and 15-min meditations and negatively correlated with
self-reported difficulties maintaining attention toward breathing (i.e., mind wandering) during the 15-min meditation. MBAS
were not positively correlated with the Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS) measures of mindful “decentering” and “curiosity.” In study 2 but not study 1, MBAS were positively correlated with
the five-factor mindfulness trait “Acting with Awareness.” Secondary analyses replicated an association between measures of
trait mindfulness and trait difficulty letting go of depressive thoughts, although MBAS and the TMS measures were unrelated
with trait difficulty letting go of depressive thoughts. Future research directions are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL PAPER
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s12671-011-0069-y
- Authors
- Paul Frewen, Departments of Psychiatry & Psychology, University of Western Ontario, University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5
- Erica Lundberg, Departments of Psychiatry & Psychology, University of Western Ontario, University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5
- Julia MacKinley, Departments of Psychiatry & Psychology, University of Western Ontario, University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5
- Andrew Wrath, Departments of Psychiatry & Psychology, University of Western Ontario, University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5
- Journal Mindfulness
- Online ISSN 1868-8535
- Print ISSN 1868-8527