Exploring How Trait Mindfulness Relates to Perceived Stress and Cardiovascular Reactivity

Background Mindfulness interventions have been associated with less global perceived stress as well as attenuated cardiovascular reactivity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether high levels of trait mindfulness would also be associated with these benefits. Methods Participants were 99 healthy young adults aged 18–25 years. Self-report measures included the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale. Participants completed a laboratory stress protocol comprised of a resting baseline, a mental arithmetic stress task, and a resting recovery period. Blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability were measured throughout the protocol. Regressions were used to analyze whether trait mindfulness predicted global perceived stress, cardiovascular reactivity, and cardiovascular recovery. Results Two trait mindfulness facets were found to be associated with less global perceived stress, Acting with Awareness ( β = − .306, p = .002) and Nonjudgment ( β = − .342, p .05, Cohen’s f 2