Cited by 342Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

The relationship between trait mindfulness and affective symptoms: A meta-analysis of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)

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Carpenter, Joseph K., Conroy, Kristina, Gomez, Angelina F., Curren, Laura C., Hofmann, Stefan G.·2019·Clinical Psychology Review

Abstract

Trait mindfulness appears to be related to lower levels of negative affective symptoms, but it remains uncertain which facets of mindfulness are most important in this relationship. Accordingly, the present meta-analysis examined studies reporting correlations between affective symptoms and trait mindfulness as assessed by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. A comprehensive search yielded 148 eligible studies, comprising 157 distinct samples and 44,075 participants. The weighted mean correlation for affective symptoms and overall trait mindfulness was r = -0.53. Among mindfulness facets, Nonjudge (r = -0.48) and Act with Awareness (r = -0.47) demonstrated the largest correlations, followed by Nonreact (r = -0.33) and Describe (r = -0.29). Observe was not significantly correlated with affective symptoms. No significant differences in the strength of correlations were found between anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, though symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder exhibited a weaker negative relationship with the Describe facet compared to PTSD symptoms. Describe also showed a stronger relationship with affective symptoms in Eastern samples compared to Western samples, whereas Western samples had a stronger relationship with Nonjudge. These results provide insight into the nature of the association between trait mindfulness and negative affect.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101785

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  • The observe facet of the FFMQ was omitted from analysis because it does not assess aspects of observant attention.

    “The observe facet of the FFMQ was omitted from analysis in light of criticism that this does not assess aspects of observant attention (e.g., Carpenter et al., 2019).”

    From Facets of Mindfulness Mediate the Relationship Between Attachment Orientation and Emotion Regulation in University Students (2024) · cites this paper as Carpenter et al., 2019

    The Discussion section, “Moderators of Trait Mindfulness and Symptom Relationships” (page unavailable), criticizes the Observe facet, but specifically says it does not assess aspects of observant attention that are beneficial among non-meditators. The citing sentence omits that qualification. Its decision to omit the facet from analysis is the citing authors’ own, not a decision attributed to Carpenter et al. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • DM has consistently been associated with fewer depressive symptoms and anxiety in clinical populations, such as people with depressive disorders, general anxiety disorders, bipolar affective disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

    “DM has consistently been associated with fewer depressive symptoms and anxiety in clinical populations, such as people with depressive disorders,21–23 general anxiety disorders,21,22 bipolar affective disorder23–25 and post-traumatic stress disorder.21,22,26,27”

    From Dispositional Mindfulness and Psychotic Symptoms in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: The Mediating Roles of Rumination and Negative Emotion (2022) · cites this paper as [26]

    The Results (Correlations between Affective Symptoms and Trait Mindfulness; page unavailable) report that greater trait mindfulness was associated with fewer affective symptoms, and the moderator analyses include depression, anxiety, GAD and PTSD symptoms. But the paper does not report a bipolar-disorder finding, and its Methods (Data Extraction; page unavailable) define clinical samples broadly rather than requiring confirmed diagnoses. It therefore supports the general association but not the full list of diagnosed clinical populations. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Different mindfulness components have different effects on different outcomes.

    “different mindfulness components have different effects on different outcomes [18].”

    From Accept anxiety to improve sleep: The impact of the covid-19 lockdown on the relationships between mindfulness, distress and sleep quality (2021) · cites this paper as [18]

    The Results (Moderator Analyses; page unavailable) find that the associations of several mindfulness facets with symptoms differ by symptom type. This supports the claim’s broad point, but the paper analyzes correlations between trait mindfulness and affective symptoms, not causal effects of mindfulness components on outcomes. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The Five-Factor Mindfulness Scale (FFMQ) measures the level of mindfulness of patients.

    “The Five-Factor Mindfulness Scale (FFMQ) [13]: measures the level of mindfulness of patients.”
  • Studies have found metacognition, mindfulness, and experiential avoidance to be related to both anxiety and depression.

    “and studies have found metacognition [16], mindfulness [17] and experiential avoidance [18] to be related to both anxiety and depression.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Mandal, 2012, Mental health and mindfulness: Mediational role of positive and negative affect, SIS Journal of Projective Psychology and Mental Health, 19, 150
  2. Michalak, 2008, Mindfulness predicts relapse/recurrence in major depressive disorder after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 196, 630, 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31817d0546 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Carpenter, J. K., Conroy, K., Gomez, A. F., Curren, L. C., & Hofmann, S. G.
Affiliations
Boston University (US)
Corresponding author
Hofmann, Stefan G.
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-12
Volume
74
Pages
101785
ISSN
0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2987367824
Cited by
342
References
163
Citations by year
2026: 40 · 2025: 73 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 63 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 14 · 2012: 1
FWCI
3.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (R01AT007257)
  • NIH/NIMH (R01MH099021, U01MH108168)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords
trait mindfulness, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, affective symptoms, negative affect, non-judgment, non-reactivity, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, cross-cultural comparison
MeSH terms
Affective Symptoms, Humans, Personality, Mindfulness

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