Trait Mindfulness and Anxiety Symptoms: The Role of Optimism and Hope

Nearly one third of adults in the US experience at least one anxiety disorder over the course of their lifetime. Trait mindfulness is associated with fewer symptoms of anxiety. This study examined two such factors from positive psychology that may help to explain this relationship: hope and optimism.

Two-hundred and nine participants completed self-report measures of anxiety symptoms, trait mindfulness, hope, and optimism at two timepoints.

Trait mindfulness was negatively associated with anxiety symptoms at both baseline and follow-up. Bias-corrected bootstrapping mediation indicated that optimism, but not hope, mediated this relationship.

Trait mindfulness may reduce anxiety because it helps to cultivate one’s general positive attitude about the future which may challenge the diffuse worry and anticipatory fear that are inherent to anxiety. Future research should seek to further explore how to harness optimism in mindfulness treatments.

This study is not preregistered.