The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Inhibitory Control in a Neutral and Reward Associated Context with a Focus on Individual Differences
Atanas Tannous, Zsófia Logemann-Molnár, Zsolt Demetrovics, Alexander Logemann
Research Square April 7, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9253829/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized experimental study with between-subject conditions |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Adults |
| Measures | Stop-signal reaction time (SSRT), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Total mindfulness and reward condition showed no main effects on stop-signal reaction time. A significant interaction indicated that the Describing facet related to slower stopping specifically in the fully reward-associated condition (p = .046), while no other mindfulness facets moderated the relationship. Anxiety was independently associated with slower stopping across conditions. |
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Empirical links between trait mindfulness and inhibitory control (IC) remain inconsistent, particularly in motivationally salient contexts. This study investigated how specific mindfulness facets relate to IC under varying reward structures and whether other dispositional traits modulate these associations.
Methods: One hundred adults completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and validated measures of affective distress, self-regulation, emotion regulation, and broader dispositional traits. IC was assessed using a modified stop-signal task. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four between-subject conditions varying in reward structure to minimise carryover effects. Stop-signal reaction time was the primary outcome measure.
Results: No significant main effects of total mindfulness or reward condition on stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) were observed. However, a significant interaction emerged between the FFMQ Describing facet and task condition ( p = .026), indicating that the relationship between the labelling of experience and IC is context dependent. Follow-up analyses revealed that this interaction was primarily driven by a significant positive association between Describing and SSRT in the fully reward-associated condition ( p = .046). In this 'saturated' reward environment, higher Describing capacity was linked to slower stopping performance. No other mindfulness facets or dispositional characteristics yielded significant moderating effects, although anxiety was independently associated with slower stopping across conditions.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that mindfulness–IC relationships are facet-specific and context dependent. The Describing facet appears to differentially relate to inhibitory performance depending on reward structure, underscoring the importance of motivational context when examining mindfulness and executive control.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 26
- 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
- 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
and 21 more in the library