The Effect of Dispositional Mindfulness on the Cognitive Flexibility of Indian Adults

Abstract

Mindfulness, once a concept predominant in eastern philosophical practices, has recently received widespread attention in the western world. Academic interest in the underlying cognitive mechanisms of mindfulness has grown steadily over the past few decades, and aspects of cognition such as perception, attention, and flexibility of thought and communication have been focal points of research interest. Past studies have yielded mixed results concerning the relationship between mindfulness and cognitive flexibility, and have focused on meditative practices to induce situational mindfulness. This study aims to focus on a different aspect of the relationship, and explore the impact of mindfulness as a character trait on cognitive flexibility in two areas, social communication competence and changing of maladaptive thoughts. Results show clear differences in cognitive flexibility on both fronts, between individuals high on dispositional mindfulness and those low on it. However, the relationship may in part be influenced by variables such as general psychological health and personality traits such as neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness. The study employed self-report measures of dispositional mindfulness and the two domains of cognitive flexibility, and further research employing neuropsychological measures is required to substantiate the relationship and consider other possible influencing variables.