Momentary Solitude and Well-Being Across Adulthood: The Moderating Role of Trait Mindfulness
2024

Momentary Solitude and Well-Being Across Adulthood

Sample size: 191 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Peng Xinyuan, Da Jiang, Tse Dwight, Ho Yuen Wan, Lay Jennifer

Primary Institution: The Education University of Hong Kong

Hypothesis

Trait mindfulness moderates the relationship between solitude and affective well-being.

Conclusion

Mindfulness facets help maintain well-being during solitude, with specific traits influencing positive and negative affect.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mindfulness facets played protective roles in maintaining well-being in solitude.
  • Higher levels of 'describing' and 'acting with awareness' weakened the negative effects of solitude on positive affect.
  • Higher levels of 'nonreactivity to inner experiences' enhanced the positive effects of solitude on low-arousal positive affect.
  • Higher levels of 'observing' weakened the positive effects of solitude on low-arousal negative affect.

Takeaway

Being alone can feel good or bad, but being mindful can help you feel better when you're by yourself.

Methodology

An experience sampling study where participants reported their social situations and feelings multiple times a day for a week.

Participant Demographics

Participants aged 19 to 93, with an average age of 51.49 years, 66% women.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3504

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