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The Positive Effect of Mindfulness Rivals the Negative Effect of Neuroticism on Gastrointestinal Symptoms

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Abstract

The current study evaluated a theoretically-derived model of the relationships between psychological traits (neuroticism and mindfulness) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptom burden with indirect effects via general dispositional cognitions and health-related cognitions. A sample of women (N = 210, Mage = 22.83, SDage = 9.78) completed an online questionnaire battery consisting of self-reported GI symptom burden, neuroticism, mindfulness, general cognitions (emotional intelligence, reappraisal, suppression, rumination), and health-related cognitions (gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, pain catastrophizing). Our hypotheses were tested using multiple regression, latent variable, and structural equational modeling. Both mindfulness (Beta = − .220, p = .011) and neuroticism (Beta = .234, p = .001) significantly independently predicted GI symptom burden. Additionally, these relationships were completely accounted for via indirect effects of general cognitions and health-related cognitions, supporting our hypotheses: Indirect effect of neuroticism on GI symptom burden: Beta = .228, p = .007; Indirect effect of mindfulness on symptom burden: Beta = − .308, p = .011. The findings from the current study highlight the important role of both general and health-related cognitions in the experience of GI symptom burden and support theoretical models that posit mechanisms of mindfulness via adaptive coping strategies. Given the subjective nature of symptom experience, these findings may help to explain the efficacy of psychological therapies in reducing GI symptom burden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Alissa P. Beath, Kristie McDonald, Thomas C. Osborn & Michael P. Jones

  2. Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Michael P. Jones

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  1. Alissa P. Beath
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Contributions

AB: co-designed the study, analyzed the data, and co-wrote and edited the manuscript. KM: co-designed the study, executed the study, assisted with data analysis, and co-wrote and edited the manuscript. TO: assisted with study design and executed the study. MJ: co-designed the study, assisted with data analysis, and collaborated in writing and editing the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.

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Correspondence to Michael P. Jones.

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All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/r39) which is in accordance with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and relevant amendments.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Beath, A.P., McDonald, K., Osborn, T.C. et al. The Positive Effect of Mindfulness Rivals the Negative Effect of Neuroticism on Gastrointestinal Symptoms. Mindfulness 10, 712–723 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1019-8

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