There is virtue in mindfulness: The relationship between the mindfulness manifold, virtues, and eudemonic wellbeing

Abstract

This correlational study of 346 college students examined how mindfulness (broadly construed as a manifold of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence) is related to the three Values in Action (VIA) virtues (inquisitiveness, caring, and self-control) and to eudemonic wellbeing (personal growth, self-acceptance, purpose in life, and positive relationships). The mindfulness manifold explained between 6% and 16% of variance in virtues over and beyond the effects of the Big Five personality traits and gender. The virtue most strongly explained by mindfulness was inquisitiveness. Mindfulness and virtues had strong effects on eudemonic wellbeing; mindfulness related to most aspects of wellbeing, whereas virtues showed more specific relationships (inquisitiveness with personal growth; caring with self-acceptance and positive relationships; self-control with purpose in life and self-acceptance). All variables combined explained between 46% and 62% of the total variance in eudemonic wellbeing. There was little evidence that the virtues mediated the effects of mindfulness on eudemonic wellbeing, suggesting that mindfulness and virtue each have unique (and thus additive) contributions to eudemonic wellbeing. Mindfulness aspects most strongly associated with virtue and wellbeing were self-awareness and self-transcendence.