The Effect of Mindfulness on Marital Stability via Perceived Stress: Findings from a Dyadic Study of Older Couples in China

This study examined the relationship between mindfulness and perceived marital stability among older couples in China.

Based upon a sample of 187 heterosexual Chinese couples aged 53–85, we conducted dyadic analyses to identify whether individuals’ stress and marital stability were influenced by the practice of mindfulness of their partners. In line with actor-partner interdependence mediation models (APIMeM), we examined four indirect effects: actor-actor (mindfulness, mediator, and outcome of one’s own), actor-partner (mindfulness, and mediator of oneself, and outcome of the partner), partner-actor (the partner’s mindfulness, and mediator, and outcome of one’s own), and partner-partner (mindfulness, and outcome of oneself, and mediator of the partner).

Results of the dyadic actor-partner interdependence mediation models suggested different indirect effects for females and males. For females, there were significant actor-actor, actor-partner indirect effects across mindfulness and its four subdomains (Describing, Acting with Awareness, Non-judging, and Non-reactivity). For males, there were significant actor-partner, partner-actor, and partner-partner across mindfulness and Describing and Acting with Awareness facets.

Trait mindfulness may have helped couples maintain their relationships by decreasing their and their partners’ perceived stress within and across dyads.

This study is not preregistered.