The Differential Relationship Between Mindfulness and Attachment in Experienced and Inexperienced Meditators

Abstract

Several recent studies have examined the association between mindfulness and attachment. However, close inspection of these studies suggests that the strength of this association may differ based on participants' experience in mindfulness meditation. The aim of the present research was to examine a possible differential relationship between mindfulness and attachment in experienced and inexperienced mindfulness meditators. Results revealed that mindfulness and attachment were significantly related in both groups, but attachment anxiety and avoidance together accounted for more than twice the variance in mindfulness in experienced meditators compared with their inexperienced counterparts. The relationship between attachment anxiety and mindfulness was significantly stronger in the group of experienced meditators, such that this association was moderated by mindfulness meditation experience. This stronger association between attachment anxiety and mindfulness may reflect the beneficial effects of mindfulness training on both mindfulness and attachment anxiety and provides some evidence that mindfulness interventions may enhance secure attachment.