The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Impulsivity: The Role of Meditation

Abstract Objectives Mindfulness and impulsivity traits are considered to be important aspects of mental well-being and health. These traits are often seen as opposing concepts, yet the nature of the relationship between them is unclear, mainly because they are complex to define. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between impulsivity and mindfulness, taking into account the impact of mindfulness meditation experience on this connection.

Method: A total of 174 mentally and physically healthy young adults were assigned to either a non-meditation group or a meditation group based on their experience in meditation practices. Participants completed self-report scales to evaluate their impulsivity and mindfulness traits.

Results: Trait impulsivity scales and dysfunctional impulsivity were negatively correlated with trait mindfulness, while functional impulsivity was positively correlated with trait mindfulness. While meditation practice significantly predicted trait mindfulness, its moderating effect on the relationship between impulsivity and mindfulness was limited.

Conclusions: The varying relationship between impulsivity subscales and trait mindfulness, together with the relatively limited association between meditation practice and these personality traits, emphasizes the importance of considering different aspects of impulsivity and acknowledging how individual differences affect the relationship between impulsivity and mindfulness. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.