Reliability of self-reported dispositional mindfulness scales and their association with working memory performance and functional connectivity

We systematically investigated the link between trait mindfulness scores and functional connectivity (FC) fea-tures or behavioral data, to emphasize the importance of the reliability of self-report mindfulness scores. Sixty healthy young male participants underwent two functional MRI runs with three mindfulness or mind-wandering task blocks with an N-back task (NBT) block. The data from 49 participants (age: 23.3 +/- 2.8) for whom two sets of the self-reported Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and NBT performance were available were analyzed. We divided participants into two groups based on the consistency level of their MAAS scores (i.e., a consistent and an inconsistent group). Then, the association between the MAAS scores and FC features or NBT performance was investigated using linear regression analysis with p-value correction and bootstrapping. Meaningful associations (a) between MAAS and NBT accuracy (slope = 0.41, CI = [0.10, 0.73], corrected p < 0.05), (b) between MAAS and the FC edges in the frontoparietal network, and (c) between the FC edges and NBT performance were only observed in the consistent group (n = 26). Our findings demonstrate the importance of appropriate screening mechanisms for self-report-based dispositional mindfulness scores when trait mindfulness scores are combined with neuronal features and behavioral data.

Automated summary

This study investigated the link between trait mindfulness scores and functional connectivity or behavioral data, highlighting the importance of the reliability of self-report mindfulness scores. Sixty healthy young male participants underwent functional MRI runs with mindfulness or mind-wandering tasks. Associations between self-report mindfulness scores and task accuracy, functional connectivity edges, and task performance were only observed in the consistent group. These findings emphasize the importance of appropriate screening mechanisms for self-report-based dispositional mindfulness scores when combined with neuronal features and behavioral data.