Living in the Moment: Daily Life Assessments of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress, Coping Flexibility, and Well-Being

Abstract

The broaden-and-build theory proposes that positive emotions build over time to promote well-being (Fredrickson, 2001). Mindfulness meditation (MM) promotes positive emotions and well-being (Garland et al., 2010). This study examined the influences of a short-term MM intervention on trait mindfulness, stress, coping flexibility, and well-being (defined as flourishing and positive emotions) at longitudinal, daily, and momentary levels. Further, this study examined whether coping flexibility mediated the link between stress and well-being, and whether MM moderated each of the previous links. Results indicate that MM increased mindfulness, coping flexibility, and well-being, and decreased stress over time. Coping flexibility mediated the link between stress and flourishing at the longitudinal level. Overall, MM did not moderate mediated links. Results support the broaden-and-build theory and indicate that MM builds positive resources over time. Future studies should continue to examine the mechanisms by which MM promotes well-being.