Individual Differences and Mindfulness

What makes some people more mindful than others? Previous research has indicated that dispositional mindfulness is related to both the five factor model (FFM) and the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST). However, previous research has examined those associations in isolation. We examined the unique effects of RST and the FFM on mindfulness in a sample 399 participants. Overall, we found the individual facets of mindfulness were differentially correlated with RST and FFM dimensions. Specifically, RST (BIS) and FFM (Neuroticism) dimensions that draw attention to external stimuli negatively correlated with mindfulness except for Observing. In contrast, FFM dimensions Openness and Conscientiousness correlated positively with mindfulness, suggesting a pattern where individuals routinely allocate attention to internal stimuli (being mindful) in order to explore (Openness) or to regulate these experiences (Conscientiousness). Our findings provide new insights into the underlying individual difference structure of being mindfulness and implies that mindfulness may not be a unitary construct. We suggest that future research should investigate mindfulness correlates at the facet level instead of the higher level of overall mindfulness.