Dispositional Mindfulness and Its Impact on the Relationship Between Anxiety, Quality of Life, and Insomnia in Older Adults
Research Square September 10, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-10529947/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 106 |
| Population | Adults aged 54 and older |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Higher anxiety was associated with greater insomnia severity, and higher quality of life with lower insomnia severity. Dispositional mindfulness did not moderate these relationships overall, but acting with awareness was associated with lower insomnia severity and describing with greater insomnia severity, suggesting mindfulness facets may influence sleep through distinct mechanisms. |
Abstract
Abstract Insomnia is prevalent in older adults and may negatively affect physical health, mood, and cognition. While anxiety is a known risk factor, reduced quality of life (QoL) may also increase risk of insomnia. Dispositional mindfulness has been shown to improve sleep, however its role in moderating the effects of anxiety and QoL in older adults remains unclear. This study examined whether anxiety and QoL were associated with insomnia in adults aged 54 and older, and whether dispositional mindfulness moderated these relationships. 106 participants completed self-report measures of insomnia, anxiety, QoL, and dispositional mindfulness. Linear regression analyses examined the associations between anxiety and QoL on insomnia, while multiple regression analyses examined the moderating role of dispositional mindfulness. Higher anxiety was associated with greater insomnia severity, whereas higher QoL was associated with lower insomnia severity. Dispositional mindfulness did not significantly moderate these relationships; however, significant interactions emerged between QoL and two mindfulness facets. Acting with awareness was associated with lower insomnia severity, whereas describing was associated with greater insomnia severity. These findings suggest that mindfulness facets may influence sleep through distinct mechanisms, highlighting the value of tailoring interventions to individuals’ mindfulness profile to improve sleep outcomes more effectively in older adults.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations 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
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
and 15 more in the library