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The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Short Title: The benefits of being present
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2002
Pages: 822 - 848
Sources ID: 54411
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)

Mindfulness is an attribute of consciousness long believed to promote well-being. This research provides a theoretical and empirical examination of the role of mindfulness in psychological well-being. The development and psychometric properties of the dispositional Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) are described. Correlational, quasi-experimental, and laboratory studies then show that the MAAS measures a unique quality of consciousness that is related to a variety of well-being constructs, that differentiates mindfulness practitioners from others, and that is associated with enhanced self-awareness. An experience-sampling study shows that both dispositional and state mindfulness predict self-regulated behavior and positive emotional states. Finally, a clinical intervention study with cancer patients demonstrates that increases in mindfulness over time relate to declines in mood disturbance and stress.