Better Cognitive Performance Is Associated With the Combination of High Trait Mindfulness and Low Trait Anxiety.
Satish Jaiswal, Shao-Yang Tsai, Chi-Hung Juan, Wei-Kuang Liang, Neil G Muggleton
Frontiers in Psychology May 3, 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00627 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational group comparison Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Healthy young adults selected from 392 prospective participants |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Personality traits Executive functions Self-report measures |
| Key findings | Groups with high mindfulness and low anxiety were more accurate on the Stroop and change detection tasks, more sensitive to changes, and had higher working memory capacity than groups with low mindfulness and high anxiety. The authors argue this combined-trait approach adds to literature that has studied mindfulness and anxiety separately in relation to executive function. |
Abstract
There are several ways in which cognitive and neurophysiological parameters have been consistently used to explain the variability in cognitive ability between people. However, little has been done to explore how such cognitive abilities are influenced by differences in personality traits. Dispositional mindfulness and anxiety are two inversely linked traits that have been independently attributed to a range of cognitive functions. The current study investigated these two traits in combination along with measures of the attentional network, cognitive inhibition, and visual working memory (VWM) capacity. A total of 392 prospective participants were screened to select two experimental groups each of 30 healthy young adults, with one having high mindfulness and low anxiety (HMLA) and the second having low mindfulness and high anxiety (LMHA). The groups performed an attentional network task, a color Stroop task, and a change detection test of VWM capacity. Results showed that the HMLA group was more accurate than the LMHA group on the Stroop and change detection tasks. Additionally, the HMLA group was more sensitive in detecting changes and had a higher WMC than the LMHA group. This research adds to the literature that has investigated mindfulness and anxiety independently with a comprehensive investigation of the effects of these two traits in conjunction on executive function.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Improving stress management, anxiety, and mental well-being in medical students through an online Mindfulness-Based Intervention: a randomized study. Scientific Reports May 22, 2023
- The effect of Zentangle on cognitive focus, emotional well‐being, and stress levels: A neural perspective Brain and Behavior August 1, 2024
- Awareness as a key component of mindfulness reduces psychological stress in adolescents: Evidence from multi-method studies. Behaviour Research and Therapy November 1, 2025
- Resting state dynamics in people with varying degrees of anxiety and mindfulness: A nonlinear and nonstationary perspective. Neuroscience March 1, 2023
- Online Short-Term Mindfulness-Based Intervention During COVID-19 Quarantine in Italy: Effects on Wellbeing, Stress, and Anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology 2022
and 3 more in the library
Cites 20
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
and 15 more in the library