A longitudinal investigation of the relative temporal association of tranquility, concentration, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaires (FFMQ) with nonattachment and mental health

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the relative temporal associations of different types of mindfulness-related qualities (i.e., observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-reactivity, nonjudging, tranquility, and concentration) at the dispositional level with well-being, psychological distress, and nonattachment by a 9-month longitudinal study over four-time points. Data from 274 participants (Age mean = 21.22; 78.5% women) who did not have any meditation experience were analyzed using linear regression models. Two-hundred and forty-two, 223, 216 participants were retained at three-month (88%), six-month (81%), and nine-month (79%) follow-up assessments, respectively. The results showed that among the seven qualities, tranquility was the most predictive quality to the outcome variables, including depressive symptoms, perceived stress, mental well-being, peacefulness, and nonattachment, after controlling for the outcome variables’ scores measured at the previous time points and other qualities at baseline. Observing, describing, nonreactivity, and acting with awareness were also shown to be predictive of certain types of outcome variables. The present study might provide insights into which qualities could be specifically targeted in the practice of mindfulness for novices, aiming to optimize the benefits of practice on mental health.