A latent profile analysis of the Big Five personality and mindfulness traits in the general population
Sarah Strohmaier, Oleg N. Medvedev
Personality and Individual Differences May 26, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2025.113287 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 636 |
| Population | General population adults from a multinational sample (57.2% female) |
| Intervention | single mindfulness practice |
| Duration | Single session with 5-minute or 20-minute mindfulness practice |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Personality Population Clinical psychology Demography |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Personality-mindfulness profiles predict differential responses to brief mindfulness interventions: the Ruminative-preoccupied profile benefits from any practice length, the Reserved-disengaged profile benefits only from shorter practice, and the Mindful-adaptive profile shows no significant benefit. |
Abstract
Understanding how personality and mindfulness traits influence responses to health and wellbeing interventions is important for improving their effectiveness, in particular since there is likely not a one-size-fits-all approach for mindfulness. While various interventions show overall benefits, individual differences likely determine optimal intervention types and doses. A multinational sample of 636 general population adults (57.2 % female) completed self-report measures of personality and mindfulness traits, and state positive and negative affect scales before being randomly assigned to a single mindfulness practice of 5-min, 20-min, or an active control, after which state scales were completed again. The personality and mindfulness data were subjected to latent profile analysis, revealing three profiles, labelled 1) Mindful-adaptive, 2) Reserved-disengaged, and 3) Ruminative-preoccupied. Secondary analyses showed significant medium to large effects for profile 3 (Ruminative-preoccupied ) across all groups. For profile 2 (Reserved-disengaged) , shorter mindfulness practice had a significant medium to large effect. No significant interactions were found for profile 1 (Mindful-adaptive). Findings suggest that personality-mindfulness profiles predict differential responses to brief interventions. This has practical implications for personalizing health and wellbeing interventions based on individual personality characteristics. Our study provides a novel person-centered approach to understanding intervention effectiveness through personality profiling.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- The moderation of Mindfulness‐based stress reduction effects by trait mindfulness: Results from a randomized controlled trial Journal of Clinical Psychology December 22, 2010
- The effect of ten versus twenty minutes of mindfulness meditation on state mindfulness and affect. Scientific Reports November 24, 2023
- Longitudinal increases in mindfulness practice quality are associated with changes in psychological outcomes and not vice versa - a brief report. Current Psychology May 1, 2024
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
- Defining and measuring meditation-related adverse effects in mindfulness-based programs Clinical Psychological Science May 18, 2021
and 10 more in the library