The Effects of Mindfulness and Reappraisal on Personal Growth Initiative and Self-Forgiveness: An Experimental Study Using Audio-Guided Reflection to Enhance Self-Forgiveness

Abstract

Objectives: Given the emerging association between mindfulness and eudaimonic growth, the potential of mindfulness-based reflective practice in fostering growth-promoting self-appraisals and commitment to value-congruent living in the context of self-forgiveness is worth investigation. The current study experimentally examined the effect of mindfulness, reappraisal, and the mediating role of personal growth initiative on self-forgiveness. Methods: One hundred and eighty-one participants (59.6% female; mean age = 22.96, SD = 4.76) were randomized to three different audio-guided practices: mindful reappraisal condition (n = 62), reappraisal-only condition (n = 60), or control condition (n = 59). Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA with pre-experimental data as the covariate showed that mindful reappraisal condition yielded significantly higher levels of personal growth initiative, relative to reappraisal-only and control conditions. None of the conditions significantly improved self-forgiveness throughout the experiment. Personal growth initiative was strongly correlated with state mindfulness, state reappraisal, and one of the facets of self-forgiveness. Path analysis confirmed the mediating role of personal growth initiative in the mindful reappraisal condition. However, the effects of mindful reappraisal on personal growth initiative and esteem restoration became negligible after controlling the effect of the reappraisal-only condition. Conclusions: The investigation presented initial evidence supporting the linkage among state mindfulness, state reappraisal, growth intention, and esteem restoration. Personal growth initiative was found to mediate mindfulness, reappraisal, and self-forgiveness. Future empirical studies with various methodological designs are warranted to investigate the applicability of mindfulness as an additional eudaimonic pathway to self-forgiveness. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered.