Dispositional Mindfulness and Serenity: Their Unique Relations with Stress and Mental Well-being

Abstract

Although the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and mental health among undergraduates is well studied, dispositional serenity is rarely studied, and they have not been examined together to identify their unique associations with stress and mental well-being (MWB). The present study investigated dispositional mindfulness in terms of the Five Facet Model and the additive statistical effects of two multidimensional conceptualizations of dispositional serenity, in relation to stress and MWB. This study used a cross-sectional design with N = 506 undergraduates. We suggested that dispositional serenity reflected a positive inner strength and peace that would complement dispositional mindfulness in promoting mental health. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that higher dispositional mindfulness significantly predicted both lower stress and higher MWB, consistent with the literature. Contributing to the literature, faith, humility, and gladness from the first serenity measure significantly predicted both lower stress and greater MWB, over and above the facets of dispositional mindfulness. Regarding the second serenity measure, inner haven and acceptance (but not trust) significantly predicted both lower stress and higher MWB, beyond the facets of dispositional mindfulness. Examined all together, gladness (serenity measure-I) significantly predicted lower stress, and both gladness (serenity measure-I) and acceptance (serenity measure-II) significantly predicted greater MWB, in addition to the facets of dispositional mindfulness. These findings broaden the conceptualization of unique, positive psychological dispositions in undergraduates. Future studies could examine state serenity induction as a positive psychological intervention to supplement dispositional serenity, just as state mindfulness induction is used to supplement dispositional mindfulness, in ameliorating stress and enhancing MWB.