To Be Attentive, Do Not React: Linking Dispositional Mindfulness to Attentional Networks and Vigilance Performance

Abstract

Objectives: Research addressing the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and objective attention performance remains inconclusive, partly because previous studies used sample sizes possibly leading to underpowered designs. Here, we examined this relationship in a large sample using the ANTI-Vea: a novel cognitive-behavioral task that simultaneously assesses the classical attentional networks—phasic alertness, orienting, executive control—and both the executive and arousal components of vigilance.Methods: Two hundred nineteen meditation-naïve participants completed the study. Correlational analyses using Kendall’s Tau were performed between FFMQ scores and ANTI-Vea outcomes. Additional subsidiary correlations were performed between the FFMQ and two self-report measures assessing subjective attentional control and mind-wandering. Benjamini-Hochberg was applied to control the Type I error rate. The hypotheses and plan of analyses were preregistered at the Open Science Framework.Results: Higher non-reactivity predicted overall faster reaction times and higher accuracy in attentional networks trials. Higher non-reactivity, as well as higher FFMQ total score, predicted faster reaction time and fewer lapses in arousal vigilance trials, the latter also being negatively associated with describe scores. The magnitude of the correlations ranged from τb = .103 to τb = .119. We found no association between FFMQ scores and executive control or executive vigilance.Conclusions: Our results indicate that dispositional mindfulness is linked to improved global attentional and arousal vigilance performance, being non-reactivity to internal experience the key facet driving the association. The absence of association to executive processes is discussed based on the high cognitive demands of the ANTI-Vea task.