Abstract
Objectives
Prior studies have suggested a significant association between mindfulness and spontaneous mind wandering. This investigation explored the functional connectivity associated with the relationship between mindfulness and spontaneous mind wandering from the perspective of individual differences.
Method
Ninety-four university students (74 females; mean age = 20.60 ± 2.30 years) completed the deliberate mind wandering (MW-D) and spontaneous mind wandering (MW-S) scales, along with the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Additionally, we collected their resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data.
Results
In line with prior research, our results indicated a significant correlation between mindfulness and spontaneous mind wandering, while no significant correlation was observed between mindfulness and deliberate mind wandering. The connectivity between the left insula and right secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) was identified as mediating the link between trait mindfulness and spontaneous mind wandering.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that individuals with elevated trait mindfulness might regulate the occurrence of mind wandering through the insula-SII connectivity, potentially leading to a decrease in the frequency of spontaneous mind wandering. Explanations for the mediation results are provided.
Preregistration
This study is not preregistered.