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.
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This research was supported by a grant from the Ontario Mental Health Foundation to PF.
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Co-authors E.L., J.M., and A.W. contributed equally to this work.
Appendix: Items Based on Sample 1 Open-Ended Responses and Administered as an Ordinal Scale Survey to Sample 2 Participants Following Collection of Their Own Open-Ended Response
Appendix: Items Based on Sample 1 Open-Ended Responses and Administered as an Ordinal Scale Survey to Sample 2 Participants Following Collection of Their Own Open-Ended Response
During the meditation exercise, how often did you go through each of the following types of experiences described below? Please circle your answer.
Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Often | Almost constantly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Reviewing a mental “to-do” list (what I have to do) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
2. Unpleasant or upsetting thoughts or memories | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
3. Pleasant or happy thoughts or memories | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
4. Feeling relaxed and calm | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
5. Being particularly aware of difficulties maintaining your attention on your breathing (e.g., due to mind wandering)—e.g., how distractible your mind is | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
6. Being particularly aware of the presence of others in the room (e.g., sound of others’ breathing or movements) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
7. Being particularly aware of the environment around you (e.g., sounds in the room, the temperature) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
8. Being particularly aware of your own body (e.g., posture, heart rate, temperature) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
9. Being particularly aware of bodily discomfort (e.g., neck, back, shoulder pain) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
10. Thoughts about planning or memories concerning recent social/leisure activities (e.g., what to do tonight/what I did on the weekend past) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
11. Fatigue/sleepiness; began to fall asleep | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
12. Being interested in and aware of the process of your breathing | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
13. Used some type of mantra to focus your attention (e.g., counted your breaths, said to yourself “in” and “out,” visualized a scene) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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Frewen, P., Lundberg, E., MacKinley, J. et al. Assessment of Response to Mindfulness Meditation: Meditation Breath Attention Scores in Association with Subjective Measures of State and Trait Mindfulness and Difficulty Letting Go of Depressive Cognition. Mindfulness 2, 254–269 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0069-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0069-y