The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being.

2003/01/01 by Kirk Warren Brown, Richard M. Ryan · 13,403 citations
Psychology · #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Clinical psychology #Consciousness #Experience sampling method #Intervention (counseling) #Mindfulness #Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions #Mood #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Social psychology #Well-being

paper · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822

published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 84(4), 822-848 (American Psychological Association)

openalex publication_date 2003/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06

Abstract

Mindfulness is an attribute of consciousness long believed to promote well-being. This research provides a theoretical and empirical examination of the role of mindfulness in psychological well-being. The development and psychometric properties of the dispositional Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) are described. Correlational, quasi-experimental, and laboratory studies then show that the MAAS measures a unique quality of consciousness that is related to a variety of well-being constructs, that differentiates mindfulness practitioners from others, and that is associated with enhanced self-awareness. An experience-sampling study shows that both dispositional and state mindfulness predict self-regulated behavior and positive emotional states. Finally, a clinical intervention study with cancer patients demonstrates that increases in mindfulness over time relate to declines in mood disturbance and stress.

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Related

• Mechanisms of mindfulness
• Explaining Variations in Mindfulness Levels in Daily Life
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