Buffering Stress or Building Resources? A Test of Mindfulness Mechanisms in the Workplace

The positive effects of mindfulness have been studied extensively, but research identifying how mindfulness works is lacking. This study aimed to investigate two possible working mechanisms of mindfulness. First, we explored whether mindfulness works by buffering the negative effects of work stress. Second, we tested whether mindfulness improves work outcomes through the enhancement of psychological capital.

An online cross-sectional survey assessing mindfulness, psychological capital, stress, turnover intentions, work engagement and job satisfaction was completed by 293 working adults. Three structural equation models tested different ways in which mindfulness exerts its positive influence on these outcomes through moderating and mediating effects.

Findings indicate that mindfulness can buffer the negative impact of stress on work engagement, job satisfaction and turnover intentions. In addition, psychological capital mediated the effect of mindfulness on work engagement and job satisfaction.

The results suggests that mindfulness exerts its positive influence on work outcomes through different pathways either by buffering stress or by aiding in the development of personal resources, depending on the specific outcome. Both mindfulness training and training to increase psychological resources should be integrated in the workplace.