Does mindfulness attenuate thoughts emphasizing negativity, but not positivity?
J Res Pers December 1, 2014 Laura G. Kiken, Natalie J. Shook 68 citations
Mindfulness is linked to fewer negative thoughts but does not affect positive thoughts. Two studies examined this relationship. In the first, people with higher trait mindfulness reported less negative rumination, but no difference in positive rumination. In the second, participants who practiced mindful breathing listed fewer negative thoughts when viewing emotional images compared to a control group, especially in response to negative images, and listed more neutral thoughts. The groups did not differ in positive thoughts. The findings suggest mindfulness may reduce negativity-focused thinking without altering positivity-focused thinking.