Trait mindfulness and sleep: Interactions between observing and nonreactivity in the association with sleep health

The current study investigated the associations between trait mindfulness and sleep health and examined the interactions between theoretically related mindfulness subscales. Participants (n = 162, M-age = 19.93) reported trait levels of mindfulness and sleep was assessed using questionnaires and actigraphy. Higher mindfulness scores in awareness, nonreactivity, and nonjudgment were associated with better sleep health. The associations between observing and sleep health were moderated by nonreactivity. Results indicate that observing is associated with better sleep health at higher levels of nonreactivity and worse sleep health at lower levels, helping to explain the often-contradictory findings between observing and health outcomes.

Automated summary

The present study examined the associations between trait mindfulness and sleep health, and investigated the interactions between related mindfulness subscales. Results revealed that higher scores in mindfulness subscales of awareness, nonreactivity, and nonjudgment were associated with better sleep health. The association between observing and sleep health was moderated by nonreactivity, indicating that the relationship between observing and sleep health differs depending on levels of nonreactivity.