Nonattachment Mediates the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Well-Being, Subjective Well-Being, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress

Richard Whitehead (), Glen Bates, Bradley Elphinstone, Yan Yang and Greg Murray
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Richard Whitehead: Swinburne University of Technology
Glen Bates: Swinburne University of Technology
Bradley Elphinstone: Swinburne University of Technology
Yan Yang: Swinburne University of Technology
Greg Murray: Swinburne University of Technology

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2019, vol. 20, issue 7, No 6, 2158 pages

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Nonattachment; Mindfulness; Psychological well-being; Subjective well-being; Depression; Anxiety; Stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0041-9

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