Does mindfulness facilitate letting be? A longitudinal investigation of nonattachment as a mediator in the association between mindfulness, well-being, and affect at trait and state levels

Abstract

This research investigated the mediating role of nonattachment in the association between mindfulness and well-being. Study 1, a 2-week ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study with 2446 responses from 69 participants, showed that state mindfulness at time (t) − 1 was not significantly associated with nonattachment at t and (positive and negative) affect at t + 1. However, nonattachment at t significantly mediated the association between state mindfulness at t and (positive and negative) affect at t. Study 2, a 2-month study with three waves of measurement (n = 224), showed that trait mindfulness at baseline could not predict psychological well-being at 2-month follow-up through nonattachment at 1-month follow-up. However, this mediating relationship was significant when all these variables were measured at baseline. People who are mindful at one moment may experience higher nonattachment and better well-being at the same moment; the beneficial effect could not be sustained over time among people who are largely non-meditators.