Component Processes of Executive Function-Mindfulness, Self-control, and Working Memory-and Their Relationships with Mental and Behavioral Health.
David S Black, Randye J Semple, Pallav Pokhrel, Jerry L Grenard
Mindfulness September 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-011-0057-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 31 |
| Population | First-year medical students at a large private university in California |
| Measures | Self-Control Schedule (SCS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Psychological Well-Being Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), automated operation span task, AUDIT |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Self-control, mindfulness, and working memory showed modest intercorrelations, suggesting partial overlap among executive-function components, though most variance was not shared. Greater self-control was associated with less negative affect, greater well-being, and greater mindful attention, while current meditation practice was associated with lower alcohol use and lower AUDIT scores. The authors describe these as protective relationships. |
Abstract
We examined the interrelationships between higher-order cognitive functions-mindfulness, self-control, and working memory-that appear to be component processes that underlie executive function (EF) and their association with indicators of mental and behavioral health. Data were collected from first-year medical students attending a large private university in California (N=31) via a computer-based questionnaire which was administered via email hyperlink. Results indicate that self-control schedule (SCS) scores were significantly correlated with the negative dimension of positive and negative affect schedule scores (r=-0.59, p<0.05), psychological well-being scale scores (r=0.46, p<0.05), and mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS) scores (r=0.35, p≤0.10). The planful behavior dimension of the SCS was correlated with MAAS scores (r=0.38, p<0.10), automated operation span task scores (r=0.51, p<0.05), and total SCS scores (r=0.72, p<0.01). Large and significant inverse correlations were found between current meditation practice and alcohol use (r=-0.56, p<0.05) and AUDIT scores (r=-0.48, p<0.05). Findings from this pilot study suggest that an overlap exists between some component processes of EF; however, the majority of variance in the components is not shared. Moreover, these higher-order cognitive processes appear to have protective relationships with substance use and are positively associated with self-reported meditation practice.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- A Mini-Review of Work Stress and Mindfulness: A Neuropsychological Point of View Frontiers in Psychology April 15, 2022
- Using Relational Responding to Examine the Acquisition of Mindfulness and Meditation Material: An Analogue Study December 1, 2016
- Brief Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality Mindfulness Breathing Exercise for Emotional Well-Being and Cognitive Functions in University Students: Within-Subjects Experimental Design Study JMIR XR and spatial computing March 25, 2026
- Mindfulness-based interventions for adults with ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis Medicine September 12, 2025
- The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Academic Performance of Students Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research 2022
and 6 more in the library
Cites 8
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- Combined Goal Management Training and Mindfulness meditation improve executive functions and decision-making performance in abstinent polysubstance abusers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence February 1, 2011
- Depression, craving, and substance use following a randomized trial of mindfulness-based relapse prevention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 1, 2010
- Neural correlates of focused attention and cognitive monitoring in meditation. Brain Research Bulletin April 29, 2010
and 3 more in the library