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Dispositional Mindfulness and Memory Problems: the Role of Perceived Stress and Sleep Quality

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Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence exploring the beneficial effects of mindfulness on stress, sleep quality, and memory, though the mechanisms involved are less certain. The present study explored the roles of perceived stress and sleep quality as potential mediators between dispositional mindfulness and subjective memory problems. Data were from a Boston area subsample of the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS-II) assessed in 2004–2006, and again approximately 1 year later (N = 299). As expected, higher dispositional mindfulness was associated with lower perceived stress and better sleep quality. There was no direct association found between mindfulness and subjective memory problems; however, there was a significant indirect effect through perceived stress, although not with sleep quality. The present findings suggest that perceived stress may play a mediating role between dispositional mindfulness and subjective memory problems, in that those with higher mindfulness generally report experiencing less stress than those with lower mindfulness, which may be protective of memory problems in everyday life.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging (PO1 AG20166).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA

    Nicholas M. Brisbon & Margie E. Lachman

  2. Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, MS 062, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA, 02453-2728, USA

    Nicholas M. Brisbon

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  1. Nicholas M. Brisbon
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Correspondence to Nicholas M. Brisbon.

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Brisbon, N.M., Lachman, M.E. Dispositional Mindfulness and Memory Problems: the Role of Perceived Stress and Sleep Quality. Mindfulness 8, 379–386 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0607-8

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