Dispositional Mindfulness and Perceived Stress

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to reduce stress. Additionally, those with higher dispositional levels of mindfulness tend to exhibit lower levels of stress. While there is a clear relationship between the cultivation of mindfulness and reduced stress levels, the particular aspects of mindfulness that are associated with stress have not been elucidated. This study investigates the relationship between dispositional mindfulness facets and perceived stress, as measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Undergraduate students (n=114) completed these self-report measures. Of the five facets investigated through the FFMQ, results showed that the nonreactivity, nonjudging, and acting with awareness facets of mindfulness were significant predictors of lower levels of perceived stress while the observing and describing facets were not. These results indicate that certain aspects of mindfulness are more strongly associated with stress than others. This study illuminates the potential benefit of tailoring MBIs to their intended outcomes based on the unique dimensions of mindfulness.