Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators

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Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators

Mindfulness training has well-documented effects on psychological health. Recent findings suggest that increases in both mindfulness and self-compassion may mediate these outcomes; however their separate and combined effects are rarely examined in the same participants. This study investigated cross-sectional relationships between self-reported mindfulness self-compassion meditation experience and psychological wellbeing in 77 experienced meditators and 75 demographically matched nonmeditators. Most mindfulness and self-compassion scores were significantly correlated with meditation experience and psychological wellbeing. Mindfulness and selfcompassion accounted for significant independent variance in wellbeing. A significant relationship between meditation experience and wellbeing was completely accounted for by a combination of mindfulness and selfcompassion scores. Findings suggest that both mindfulness and self-compassion skills may play important roles in the improved wellbeing associated with mindfulness training; however longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Citation: 
The Journal of Positive Psychology Vol. 7, No. 3, May 2012, 230–238

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