Exploring the Multidimensional Links Between Trait Mindfulness and Trait Empathy.
Toshiyuki Himichi, Hidekazu Osanai, Takayuki Goto, Hiroyo Fujita, Yuta Kawamura, Adam Smith, Michio Nomura
Frontiers in Psychiatry August 4, 2021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.498614 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study (two independent samples; mediation analysis) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Attention Alexithymia Emotion regulation Empathy Effortful control |
| Key findings | Observing and acting with awareness, two attention-related components of trait mindfulness, were reliably and positively related to both empathic concern and perspective taking. Effortful control, reappraisal, and trait alexithymia mediated the relationships between these mindfulness components and empathic concern. The authors argue that mindfulness-empathy links are multidimensional and complex. |
Abstract
Empathy and mindfulness are currently major topics of scientific interest. Although it is well-known that mindfulness-typically as an outcome related to meditation-generates empathy at the state level, only a small number of studies have documented the trait (i.e., personality) level association between mindfulness and empathy. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms (subcomponents and mediator variables) that support this association remain unclear. Thus, here, with a focus on the trait level, we investigated relationships among multiple subcomponents of trait mindfulness and trait empathy (Study 1). Next, we reexamined the aforementioned relationships in an independent sample, with the further aim of investigating relevant mediation factors (Study 2). We found that two attention-related components of trait mindfulness-observing and acting with awareness-reliably and positively related to both affective and cognitive dimensions of trait empathy (i.e., empathic concern and perspective taking). Furthermore, we found that effortful control, reappraisal, and trait alexithymia mediated relationships between the aforementioned attention-related components of trait mindfulness and empathic concern. Taken together, our results suggest that the links between mindfulness and empathy are multidimensional and complex. These findings may ultimately contribute to an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of meditation on empathy.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| 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 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Parallel Parent–Child Mindfulness Intervention for Migrant Families' Adaptation: A Randomized Controlled Trial Family Process October 2, 2026
- Mindfulness in schools for internal migrant children at risk of anxiety and depression: A randomized trial. Social Science & Medicine June 17, 2026
- The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Impulsivity: The Role of Meditation Mindfulness May 1, 2024
- Dispositional mindfulness, alexithymia and sensory processing: Emerging insights from habituation of the acoustic startle reflex response. International Journal of Psychophysiology February 2023
Cites 14
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- 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
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise PLoS One March 25, 2008
- Defining mindfulness by how poorly I think I pay attention during everyday awareness and other intractable problems for psychology's (re)invention of mindfulness: Comment on Brown et al. (2011). Psychological Assessment 2011
and 9 more in the library