Mindfulness and integrative self-knowledge: relationships with health-related variables

Int J Psychol. 2013;48(6):1030-7. doi: 10.1080/00207594.2013.763948. Epub 2013 Feb 15.

Abstract

This study examined how mindfulness and integrative self-knowledge were related to health-related issues. Men in general population (n = 103) and coronary heart disease samples (n = 101) completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Integrative Self-knowledge Scale, the Type 2 subscale of the Interpersonal Reactions Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Anxiety and Depression Scales. In both samples, there was a moderate positive correlation between mindfulness and integrative self-knowledge and they were negatively correlated with all health-related variables. However, only integrative self-knowledge explained independent variance in health-related variables. Specifically, in both samples, the relationship between mindfulness and health-related variables was mediated by integrative self-knowledge. Mindfulness and integrative self-knowledge are related domains of self-awareness that are associated with a range of health-related variables. These relationships are robust across samples drawn from general population and patients with coronary heart disease. The finding that integrative self-knowledge explained additional variance in the health-related variables after the contribution of mindfulness had been accounted for suggests that reflective self-awareness in integrative self-knowledge may make a unique contribution to the explanation of individual differences in health variables.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety
  • Attention*
  • Awareness
  • Coronary Disease / psychology*
  • Depression
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mindfulness*
  • Self Concept*
  • Self-Assessment
  • Stress, Psychological