Nonattachment Mediates the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Well-Being, Subjective Well-Being, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress
Richard E. Whitehead, G. Bates, Brad Elphinstone, Yan Yang, G. Murray
Journal of Happiness Studies October 9, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0041-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study (two sequential cross-sectional mediation studies) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 932 |
| Population | Study 1: 516 participants; Study 2: 416 participants (general adult samples, details not stated) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Nonattachment mediated the relationship between mindfulness and psychological and subjective well-being (Study 1, N=516) and between mindfulness and depression, anxiety, and stress (Study 2, N=416). The authors argue these are the first findings to show that mindfulness's relationship to a broad range of psychological outcomes is at least partially determined by nonattachment. |
Abstract
The Buddhist construct of nonattachment is a related, yet distinct construct to mindfulness. Whereas mindfulness refers to an individual’s open, present-centred awareness of what is happening in their field of consciousness, nonattachment denotes an absence of attempts to control what is happening in their field of consciousness. The aim of the present research was to determine whether nonattachment is a mechanism of mindfulness that mediates its relationship to psychological and subjective well-being, depression, anxiety and stress. Two sequential studies were conducted. Study 1 (N = 516) established that nonattachment mediated the relationship of mindfulness to psychological and subjective well-being. Study 2 (N = 416) demonstrated that nonattachment also mediated the relationship of mindfulness to depression, anxiety and stress. In combination, these studies are the first to demonstrate that the relationship of mindfulness to a broad range of psychological outcomes is at least partially determined by nonattachment. These findings provide insight into how mindfulness impacts mental health and have implications for the development and assessment of mindfulness-based interventions.
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 |
| The Role of Mindfulness and Psychological Flexibility in Somatization, Depression, Anxiety, and General Psychological Distress in a Nonclinical College Sample Ethnically diverse, nonclinical sample of college undergraduates (76% female) | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional survey | n = 494 |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- STORIES OF SUFFERING AND GROWTH: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF NONATTACHMENT Contemporary Buddhism July 3, 2018
- An expanded mindful mindset: The role of different skills in stress reduction and life satisfaction Journal of Consumer Affairs January 26, 2023
- Assessing the efficacy of a brief online mindfulness-based intervention to increase nonattachment Australian psychologist October 28, 2026
- From Selflessness to Fulfillment: The Role of Connectedness, Disidentification, and Impermanence in Cultivating Non-Attachment and Happiness in Regular Meditators Research Square October 16, 2026
- The Double Bypass: Cohering Psychotherapy and the Buddhist Path Mindfulness August 31, 2026
and 4 more in the library
Cites 11
- 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
- Inside the Mindful Mind Current Directions in Psychological Science December 1, 2013
- Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Complementary health practice review April 1, 2008
and 6 more in the library