Trait mindfulness associations with executive function and well-being in older adults

Objectives The current study investigated trait mindfulness associations with distinct aspects of executive function. We also aimed to characterize relationships between trait mindfulness with measures of psychological risk and resilience within adults aged 55-87 years. Method In this cross-sectional study, 121 adults completed neuropsychological measures of working memory, mental set-shifting, and inhibition, as well as a battery of well-validated psychological self-report measures. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) measured trait mindfulness. Results Trait mindfulness was associated with greater age, years of education and self-efficacy, and less perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and subjective cognitive concerns. Hierarchal multiple regression analyses showed that trait mindfulness was a significant predictor of inhibitory control, even after adjusting for age, education, and global cognition in the model. Trait mindfulness was not significantly associated with working memory or mental set-shifting. Follow-up analyses using the PROCESS macro revealed that trait mindfulness mediated the relationship between perceived stress and inhibitory control. Conclusion Trait mindfulness was associated with measures of greater well-being and mental health. Our results also indicate that trait mindfulness may provide psychological resilience by attenuating perceived stress and enhancing the capacity to intentionally suppress irrelevant information and automatic responses.

Automated summary

This study investigated the relationship between trait mindfulness and executive function, psychological risk, and resilience in older adults. Trait mindfulness was found to be associated with greater age, education, self-efficacy, and less perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and cognitive concerns. It was also a significant predictor of inhibitory control and mediated the relationship between perceived stress and inhibitory control, highlighting its role in promoting mental health and resilience.