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Nonattachment Mediates the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Well-Being, Subjective Well-Being, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Whitehead

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

  • Glen Bates

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

  • Bradley Elphinstone

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

  • Yan Yang

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

  • Greg Murray

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

Abstract

The Buddhist construct of nonattachment is a related, yet distinct construct to mindfulness. Whereas mindfulness refers to an individual’s open, present-centred awareness of what is happening in their field of consciousness, nonattachment denotes an absence of attempts to control what is happening in their field of consciousness. The aim of the present research was to determine whether nonattachment is a mechanism of mindfulness that mediates its relationship to psychological and subjective well-being, depression, anxiety and stress. Two sequential studies were conducted. Study 1 (N = 516) established that nonattachment mediated the relationship of mindfulness to psychological and subjective well-being. Study 2 (N = 416) demonstrated that nonattachment also mediated the relationship of mindfulness to depression, anxiety and stress. In combination, these studies are the first to demonstrate that the relationship of mindfulness to a broad range of psychological outcomes is at least partially determined by nonattachment. These findings provide insight into how mindfulness impacts mental health and have implications for the development and assessment of mindfulness-based interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Whitehead & Glen Bates & Bradley Elphinstone & Yan Yang & Greg Murray, 2019. "Nonattachment Mediates the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Well-Being, Subjective Well-Being, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(7), pages 2141-2158, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:7:d:10.1007_s10902-018-0041-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0041-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Busseri & Michael Busseri & Stanley Sadava & Nancy DeCourville, 2007. "A Hybrid Model for Research on Subjective Well-being: Examining Common- and Component-specific Sources of Variance in Life Satisfaction, Positive Affect, and Negative Affect," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 83(3), pages 413-445, September.
    2. Adam Hanley & Alia Warner & Eric Garland, 2015. "Associations Between Mindfulness, Psychological Well-Being, and Subjective Well-Being with Respect to Contemplative Practice," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(6), pages 1423-1436, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Xie, Julan & Zhou, Dinggen & Tan, Yuxuan, 2021. "Relationship between mindfulness and general health among couples in Mainland China: A crossover perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).

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