Exploring individual and dyadic associations of dispositional mindfulness as an ameliorative factor of anxiety and roommate satisfaction among undergraduate roommates.
Kala M. Phillips
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Undergraduate roommate dyads at a college |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Dispositional mindfulness was negatively associated with anxiety, and this association persisted after adjusting for control variables. Mindfulness was positively associated with perceived communication quality with a roommate, though this did not persist after adjustment. The authors argue these findings support mindfulness as a possible ameliorative factor for college anxiety and offer preliminary evidence for relationship benefits. |
Abstract
For many young adults, the college experience is stressful and the adjustment to college life can present many unique challenges. Up to one-half of undergraduates report anxiety, with prevalence rates that appear to be on the rise. Social transitions, such as living with a roommate, can also present challenges. The current study explored dispositional mindfulness, a capacity for attending to present-moment experiences, as a potential ameliorative factor of anxiety and roommate satisfaction. Dyadic associations of dispositional mindfulness were also explored among roommate dyads. Fifty undergraduate roommate dyads (N=100) provided self-report measures of demographics, dispositional mindfulness, anxiety, and three facets of roommate satisfaction (trust, communication, alienation). Simple regression analyses tested hypothesized relationships. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses adjusted for theoretical and empirically-derived controls in tests of hypothesized relationships. Results revealed that dispositional mindfulness was negatively associated with anxiety, which persisted after adjustment of control variables. Dispositional mindfulness was positively associated with perceived quality of communication with roommate, a finding that did not persist after adjustment of control variables. Findings provide strong support for mindfulness as a possible ameliorative factor of college anxiety. The current study also provides preliminary evidence for the association of mindfulness with regard to the quality of communication between members of a dyad. This novel finding among undergraduate roommates highlights the importance of exploring the possible benefits of mindfulness in the context of relationships. Implementation of mindfulness-based interventions on college campuses may help mitigate the negative effects of the college transition on anxiety and roommate satisfaction toward optimal academic and psychosocial functioning.
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
Cites 16
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Perils and promise in defining and measuring mindfulness: Observations from experience. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
and 11 more in the library