Comparing the effects of awe and mindfulness on stress and rumination — ASN Events
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  3. Comparing the effects of awe and mindfulness on stress and rumination

Comparing the effects of awe and mindfulness on stress and rumination (#653)

Truc Anh Dao 1 , Angelina Sung 1 , Michael F Steger 1
  1. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States

Background

Awe and mindfulness are considered two conceptually distinct mental states within the field of positive psychology, yet share similar effects on well-being such as reduced self-focus and stress (Bai et al., 2021; Yaden et al., 2017). Awe is an emotion evoked during experiences that include a sense of vastness and a need for cognitive accommodation (Keltner & Haidt, 2003), and mindfulness is brought upon by intentionally bringing attention to the present moment without judgment or evaluation (Shapiro et al., 2006).

Aims

The current study aimed to explore similarities and differences in well-being outcomes between awe and mindfulness via an experimental induction among 169 undergraduate students (66.2% female; 69.8% White; mean age = 19.0, SD = 1.6).

Method

Participants were randomized to watch either an awe-eliciting video (i.e., time lapse of the universe) or meditation video (i.e., guided candle meditation) in an auditorium. Participants filled out a survey before and after the video. 

Results

Results showed that each group had reductions in rumination (awe group: t(69)=6.91, p<.001; mindfulness group: t(81)=5.80, p<.001) and stress (awe group: t(96)=2.84, p<.001; mindfulness group: t(104)=7.97, p<.001) after watching the video. While there were no significant group differences in rumination, there were significantly higher levels of stress in the awe group compared to the mindfulness group post-video (t(201)=-3.76, p<.001). 

Conclusion

These findings suggest that although mindfulness and awe both successfully decrease rumination and stress, mindfulness may be more effective at stress reduction. To our knowledge, this study is the first to compare the impact of awe and mindfulness on rumination and stress. Future research should investigate the differences between awe and mindfulness to further disentangle their effects with each other.

  1. Bai, Y., Ocampo, J., Jin, G., Chen, S., Benet-Martinez, V., Monroy, M., Anderson, C., & Keltner, D. (2021). Awe, daily stress, and elevated life satisfaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(4), 837-860. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000267
  2. Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297
  3. Shapiro, S. L., Carlson, L. E., Astin, J. A., & Freedman, B. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of clinical psychology, 62(3), 373-386. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20237
  4. Yaden, D. B., Haidt, J., Hood, R. W., Vago, D. R., & Newberg, A. B. (2017). The varieties of self-transcendent experience. Review of General Psychology, 21(2), 143-160. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000102
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Mindfulness, Positive emotions
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