Rachel G Lucas-Thompson1, Reagan L Miller2, Natasha S Seiter2, Mark A Prince3. 1. Human Development & Family Studies, Colorado State University, 1570 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1570, United States. Electronic address: lucas-thompson.rachel.graham@colostate.edu. 2. Human Development & Family Studies, Colorado State University, 1570 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1570, United States. 3. 1876 Campus Delivery, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Past studies investigating the link between mindfulness and stress responding (i.e., emotional, psychological, and physiological responses to perceived threat or challenge) have focused on mindfulness training and on adult populations. In addition, research has not directly examined whether high mindfulness is particularly beneficial under conditions of high stress. To fill these gaps, the current study examined whether dispositional mindfulness predicts reduced cortisol, psychological, and cardiovascular stress responding in adolescence, and whether these effects are moderated by perceived life stress. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 150; 14-21yrs) completed measures of dispositional mindfulness, perceived life stress, emotional reactivity, and appraisals of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Cortisol and blood pressure responses were measured. RESULTS: Higher dispositional mindfulness predicted reduced emotional and cardiovascular responding to the TSST, as well as less-negative task appraisals. In contrast, higher dispositional mindfulness predicted greater cortisol reactivity (or increases in cortisol in response to the TSST), particularly for adolescents experiencing lower perceived life stress. CONCLUSION: These findings add to the body of literature indicating that greater mindfulness predicts improved stress responding, but do not suggest that mindfulness buffers the effects of high stress on adolescent stress responding.
BACKGROUND: Past studies investigating the link between mindfulness and stress responding (i.e., emotional, psychological, and physiological responses to perceived threat or challenge) have focused on mindfulness training and on adult populations. In addition, research has not directly examined whether high mindfulness is particularly beneficial under conditions of high stress. To fill these gaps, the current study examined whether dispositional mindfulness predicts reduced cortisol, psychological, and cardiovascular stress responding in adolescence, and whether these effects are moderated by perceived life stress. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 150; 14-21yrs) completed measures of dispositional mindfulness, perceived life stress, emotional reactivity, and appraisals of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Cortisol and blood pressure responses were measured. RESULTS: Higher dispositional mindfulness predicted reduced emotional and cardiovascular responding to the TSST, as well as less-negative task appraisals. In contrast, higher dispositional mindfulness predicted greater cortisol reactivity (or increases in cortisol in response to the TSST), particularly for adolescents experiencing lower perceived life stress. CONCLUSION: These findings add to the body of literature indicating that greater mindfulness predicts improved stress responding, but do not suggest that mindfulness buffers the effects of high stress on adolescent stress responding.
Authors: Albertine J Oldehinkel; Johan Ormel; Nienke M Bosch; Esther M C Bouma; Arie M Van Roon; Judith G M Rosmalen; Harriëtte Riese Journal: Psychophysiology Date: 2010-08-18 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Emma L M Clark; Lauren D Gulley; Mark A Prince; Milena Casamassima; Natalia Sanchez; Virginia Jimenez; Sarah A Johnson; Reagan L Miller; Isabella Conte; Jill L Kaar; Stacey L Simon; Christopher Melby; Rachel G Lucas-Thompson; Lauren B Shomaker Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2021-04-21
Authors: Reagan L Miller; Rachel G Lucas-Thompson; Natalia Sanchez; Amy D Smith; Shelly K Annameier; Milena Casamassima; Megan Verros; Christopher Melby; Sarah A Johnson; Lauren B Shomaker Journal: Eat Behav Date: 2020-12-08