Adaptive self-concept as a predictor of dispositional mindfulness

Abstract

The purpose of the studies was to investigate the relationship between adaptive features of self-concept and facets of dispositional mindfulness. We assumed that the strong self-concept is a crucial factor enhancing optimal functioning. Accordingly, we hypothesized that adaptive features of self-concept predict the general factor of dispositional mindfulness. We conducted two studies using four measures of mindfulness (FFMQ, MAAS, AAQ, and MEAQ) and the Adaptive Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASCQ). To explore the complex relationships between mindfulness and adaptive self-concept canonical correlation analysis was performed (N = 134; 78% females; age: M = 30.99, SD = 10.27). We found that variance shared by three features of adaptive self-concept (i.e. clarity, self-distance, and non-rumination) is strongly related to general factors of mindfulness and experiential acceptance. To evaluate alternative models depicting different patterns of relationships between these variables the structural equation modeling approach was applied (N = 162; 65% females; age: M = 27.24, SD = 9.76). Adaptive self-concept significantly predicted the latent variable representing variance shared by mindfulness and experiential acceptance. Overall, the results confirmed our hypothesis and suggest that adaptive self-concept may be a basis for a high dispositional mindfulness. We discuss this possibility in light of a metacognitive model of mindfulness.