Mindfulness Mediates Neuroticism as a Predictor of Self-Control and Impulsivity: Potential Implications for Behavioral Regulation

Mindfulness, a concept described as an open and detached but engaged manner of relating to internal and external stimuli (Brown, Ryan & Creswell, 2007) has been found in previous research to fully mediate the neuroticism-impulsivity and neuroticism-self-control relationships (Fetterman, Robinson, Ode, & Gordon, 2010). The current study replicated Fetterman et al.'s study to evaluate mindfulness as a mediator of the neuroticism-impulsivity and neuroticism-self-control relationships in a new sample (n = 287). A multiple regression was run in which neuroticism and mindfulness were evaluated as simultaneous predictors of impulsivity (Baron & Kenny, 1986). In this multiple regression, mindfulness remained a significant predictor of impulsivity, (Beta = -.443, p < .001), but neuroticism was no longer a significant predictor, (Beta = .099, p = .107). In addition, neuroticism and mindfulness were simultaneously evaluated as predictors of self-control. The results here partly diverge from previous findings in Fetterman et al.'s research. In both the previous research and the current findings, mindfulness remained a significant predictor, (Beta = .394, p < .001); however unlike in the previous research, neuroticism also remained a significant predictor, (Beta = -.293, p < .001), but to a lesser degree than when mindfulness was not evaluated as a predictor, suggesting that in the current sample mindfulness partially rather than fully mediates the relationship between neuroticism and self-control. These results, though slightly distinct from previous findings, could point to the usefulness of mindfulness for addressing behavioral dysregulation correlates to neuroticism. Future research should explore the subtleties of mindfulness as a mediator in these relationships, in particular the neuroticism-self-control relationship, and practical uses for mindfulness to potentially address behavioral dysregulation and enhance self-regulation.