Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness and Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction: a Meta-Analysis

Abstract

New theoretical perspectives have begun to shift the study of trait mindfulness beyond individual processes to interpersonal romantic relationships. Viability of these pursuits is perhaps contingent on the basic assumption that higher trait mindfulness is associated with beneficial outcomes like relationship satisfaction. Moreover, if this association is not consistent across sample characteristics or if the available knowledge appears tainted by publication bias, then the basic assumption of this emerging research may not be tenable. Twenty-eight samples of studies correlating trait mindfulness and relationship satisfaction were collected. The average effect size was small (.24) and publication bias was not evident. The effect size was consistent across age, gender, marital status, meditation status, and mindfulness dimensionality. This study supports emerging theoretical perspectives linking trait mindfulness to romantic relationship outcomes. The association between trait mindfulness and relationship satisfaction does not appear sensitive to a publication bias mechanism.