The negative effect of solving the ‘white bear’ problem with mindfulness: Expansion and reconfirmation of mindfulness profiles based on ironic process theory

Abstract

Although previous research on trait mindfulness has demonstrated that there are some mixed effects on various outcomes, it is unclear why mindfulness sometimes negatively relates to positive outcomes, contrary to expectations. To address this issue, we draw on ironic process theory to explain why there are distinct effects resulting from trait mindfulness. Specifically, the goals of this study were to reconfirm previous trait mindfulness profiles among Korean blue-collar workers via an ironic process theory framework and test the relationship between trait mindfulness profiles and various outcomes (i.e., work-related, physical and psychological well-being). Two blue-collar worker samples (434 fire fighters and 426 manufacturing workers) were collected. Employees reported their trait mindfulness, work-related variables, physical, and psychological well-being status. We identified four trait mindfulness profiles that represent distinct mind control processes, using latent profile analysis. Moreover, we also found that these profiles differentially predicted employee physical and psychological well-being, such that people using monitoring processes (i.e., those with a judgmentally observing profile) consistently showed a worse well-being status than people using operating processes (i.e., those with a non-judgmentally aware profile). Our study provided theoretical understanding of mindfulness profiling research as well as reconfirming its existence and consequence in Korean working contexts.