Pathways to well being: The influence of mindfulness on stress, appraisals, and coping

Mindfulness has been associated with a number of well being indices, but the processes through which it improves health have not been determined. The current research assessed how trait (Study 1; N = 369) and state (Study 2; N = 329) mindfulness, the latter primed through a writing exercise, were related to appraisals and coping of stressful situations. Trait mindfulness was negatively related to depression and was mediated by appraisals of threat, distress, and pessimistic outcome expectations, as well as problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping use. Trait mindfulness also moderated bidirectional relationships between distress appraisals and levels of problem-focused and avoidant coping. Priming mindfulness had only marginal effects on individuals' threat appraisals and outcome expectations, and varied by gender, as males were more negatively influenced by priming mindlessness. Although priming mindfulness was ineffective, results corroborated the benefits of trait mindfulness and identified pathways through which it enhances well being.