How does mindfulness modulate daily stress response: evidences from ambulatory assessment

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Mindfulness is linked to reduced stress responses.
• Its role in modulating daily stress remains unclear.
• Understanding daily stress mechanisms is crucial for well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the relationship between daily stress and negative emotions.
• Examine the mediating role of perceived loss of control.
• Assess the moderating effect of dispositional mindfulness on this association.

Main Methods:

• 95 college students participated.
• Assessed dispositional mindfulness using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).
• Measured daily stress, perceived loss of control, and negative emotions via ambulatory assessment.

Main Results:

• Daily stress correlated positively with negative emotions.
• Perceived loss of control mediated the stress-negative emotion link.
• Higher dispositional mindfulness attenuated the association between stress and anger, and between perceived loss of control and anger/fatigue.

Conclusions:

• Perceived loss of control is a significant factor in daily stress.
• Dispositional mindfulness mitigates the negative impact of daily stressors.
• Findings suggest mindfulness interventions could enhance resilience to daily stressors.