Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Publication Date
Spring 5-1-2023
Journal
Undergraduate Honours Theses
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are linked with improved cognitive functioning and biopsychosocial wellbeing, and changes in trait-level personal characteristics, especially dispositional mindfulness (DM) and metacognition. Traditional MBIs are effective but resource intensive for practitioners and instructors. Brief online MBIs have been shown to be effective – but there is ambiguity over how online MBIs are effective and for whom. The present research investigated the effects of a brief daily online MBI on cognitive performance (working memory, long-term memory, attention, executive inhibition), socio-affective functioning (depression, anxiety, stress), and individual differences in DM, trait metacognition, and Big Five individual difference factors. Subjects completed pre- and post-intervention online testing batteries measuring our variables of interest and were randomly assigned to complete either a mindfulness experimental intervention or podcast control intervention for 15 minutes daily, for 31 days. The mindfulness group increased in dispositional and state mindfulness and relaxation relative to the podcast group. In addition, the podcast and MBI groups both increased in working memory performance and trait metacognition, and decreased in depression, anxiety, and stress from pre- to post-intervention testing. Additionally, significant correlations between mindfulness and metacognition suggested the two are distinct but related constructs which may be underpinned by a single latent factor related to adaptive functioning. Limitations and future directions are discussed. Overall, these results suggest that a 15-minute daily online MBI can selectively facilitate greater relaxation and mindfulness; however, general effects for both interventions observed from pre- to post-intervention testing highlight the importance of designing appropriate controls in mindfulness-based research.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Notes
Thesis Advisor(s): Dr. Stephen Van Hedger