Unpacking the role of psychopathology in the state-to-trait mindfulness transition: A longitudinal structural equation modeling study.
Veronica L O'Brien, Nicolette P. Rickert
Journal of Affective Disorders November 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2026.122062 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPeople with higher anxiety may find it harder to develop mindfulness through practice. A four-week online mindfulness course with 274 participants showed that previous mindfulness experience predicted higher starting state mindfulness, while baseline anxiety predicted higher starting state mindfulness but slower growth in state mindfulness over time. Growth in state mindfulness during the course predicted higher final levels of trait mindfulness. The findings suggest that anxiety can interfere with the benefits of mindfulness training.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Longitudinal Cross-sectional Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 274 |
| Population | Adults participating in a four-week asynchronous online mindfulness-based reduction course |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Psychopathology State mindfulness Trait mindfulness |
| Key finding | Baseline anxiety positively predicted baseline state mindfulness but negatively predicted growth in state mindfulness, and growth in state mindfulness positively predicted final trait mindfulness levels. |
Abstract
Research has established that higher trait mindfulness is inversely associated with psychopathology in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, and research has also demonstrated that mindfulness-based interventions increase trait mindfulness over time. The present study sought to investigate the trajectory of mindfulness development by examining whether repeated practice of state mindfulness during the intervention cultivates trait mindfulness over time, and whether baseline psychopathology moderates this growth trajectory. We recruited 274 participants to explore how psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, depression, trauma, and alcohol use) relate to the development of state mindfulness during a four-week, asynchronous online mindfulness-based reduction course. Using a latent growth curve model, key findings were that previous mindfulness experience predicted baseline state mindfulness (β = 0.324, p < .001); baseline anxiety positively predicted baseline state mindfulness (β = 0.420, p = .002) and negatively predicted growth in state mindfulness (β = -0.492, p = .047); and growth in state mindfulness positively predicted final trait mindfulness levels (β = 1.144, p = .035). These results suggest that individuals with higher anxiety may face challenges while engaging with mindfulness practice. The study contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of state mindfulness growth and highlights the potential interference of anxiety in the psychotherapeutic trajectory.