Poster
TITLE [10 word max]
Predicting Well-Being from Buddhist inspired constructs: Linking, Mindfulness, and
Self-Compassion
Data are fully collected
ABSTRACT
[50 word limit]
We investigated relations among Linking, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion and their
ability to predict subjective Well-Being. Initial multiple regression analyses indicate that
Linking, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion have independent contributions in predicting
Well-being, and Optimism. Additional, hierarchical multiple regression analyses will be
used to investigate mediational paths among these and Anxiety Sensitivity.
[Body 300-500 word]
Overview/Introduction
I. Linking (McIntosh & Martin,1992)
II. Mindfulness (Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney 2006)
III. Self-compassion (Neff, 2003)
IV. Well-Being (Ryff, 1989; Blais et al, 1999)
V. Optimism (Scheier, Carver, & Bridges 1994)
Method
Participants (162 females, 91 males) were recruited from Psychology 101 courses in
exchange for course research participation credit. Those spending < 5 s per question
were excluded from analyses resulting in a sample of 143 female and 68 male
participants. After giving informed consent using an online survey tool, QuestionPro,
participants completed questionnaires in this order: Neff’s 26-item (2003) SelfCompassion Scale (SC), McIntosh, Harlow, & Martin (1995) ten-item Rumination Scale
(RS), a 39-item questionnaire derived from the strongest factor loadings of Baer, Smith,
Hopkins, Krietemeyer, and Toney’s (2006) multifaceted self-report measure of
mindfulness , 84-items comprising Ryff’s (1989) Scales of Psychological Well-Being
(RPWB), Blais and colleagues (1999) ten-item Schwartz Outcome Scale (SOS-10),
Scheier, Carver, and Bridges’ (1994) ten-item Life Orientation Test-Revised ( LOT-R),
IX) McIntosh, and Martin’s (1992) 22-item Linking Scale (LS), and Taylor & Cox’s
(1998) 18-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI).
An examination of Cronbach alphas supported the construction of composite measures of
SC (alpha =.87) and Well-Being (WB) combining the six RWBS and the SOS-R
(combined alpha=.90). Both the Linking scale (alpha=.83) and Lot-R (alpha=.81) had
acceptable internal reliability. These analyses suggestedthat Mindfulness (Observing,
alpha=.86; Describing, alpha=.90; Acting with Awareness, alpha=.89; Non-Judging,
alpha=.92.; and Non-Reactivity, alpha=.85) and ASI (Cognitive Concerns, alpha=.91;
Physical Concerns, alpha=.86; and Social Concerns, alpha=.78) are better considered
multifaceted (component alphas > the construct composites). Simultaneous regressions of
Well-Being and Optimism onto SC, LS, and FFM accounted for 50% of the adjusted
variance in the composite Well-Being measure and 49% of the adjusted variance in LOTR. Rank order of significant standardized beta coefficients was Describing, SC, Acting
with Awareness, Linking, and Non-judging for WB. For Optimism the rank order was
Describing, SC, Linking, and Non-judging. Further analyses will investigate pathways by
which these elements predict Well-Being and its components, and ASI.
References
References
Baer, R., Smith, G., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using Self-Report
Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27-45.
Blais, M. A., Lenderking, W. R. Baer, L., deLorell, A., Peets, K., Leahy, L., et al. (1999).
Development and initial validation of a brief mental health outcome measure.
Journal of Personality Assessment, 73, 359–373.
McIntosh,W.D., Harlow, T.F, & Martin, L.L. (1995). Linkers and nonlinkers: Goal
beliefs as a moderator of the effects of everyday hassles on rumination, depression, and
physical complaints. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 25(14), 1231-1244.
McIntosh, W.D. & Martin, L.L. (1992). The cybernetics of happiness: The relation
between goal attainment, rumination, and affect. In M.S. Clark (Ed.), Review of
personality and social psychology (Vol. 14, pp. 224-246). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Neff, K.D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure selfcompassion. Self
and Identity, 2, 223-250.
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of
psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57,
1069-1081.
Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from
neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): A re-evaluation of
the Life
Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 10631078.
http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/~hauser/Springer_Hauser_PWB_MS_SSR_081805.pdf
Taylor, S., & Cox, B.J. (1998). An expanded anxiety sensitivity index: Evidence for a
hierarchic structure in a clinical sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 12, 463–483.
The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.
Atisha
According to Buddhist tradition, mindfulness is the objective awareness of one’s current
situation that leads to self-acceptance (Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, Toney, 2006).
Mindfulness based cognitive therapy and mindfulness based stress reduction through
meditation has led to systematic study within psychology. Baer and colleagues’ (2006)
factor-analysis of published measures identified five facets of mindfulness (FFM):
observing, Describing, Acting with Awareness, Non-Judging, and Non-Reactivity of
inner experiences. The resulting Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)
successfully discriminates between meditators and non-meditators and is negatively
correlated with neuroticism and depressive symptoms (Baer, Smith, Lykins, Button,
Krietemeyer, Saur, Walsh, Duggan, Williams, 2008).
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., Toney, L. (2006). Using selfreport assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13, 27-45.
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Lykins, E., Krietemeyer, J., Sauer, S., Walsh, E., Duggan, D.,
Williams, J. (2008). Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in
Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples. Assessment, 15, 329.