How Situational Mindfulness During Conflict Stress Relates to Well-Being

Mindfulness has typically been studied within the individual, yet its benefits may be particularly important in the context of interpersonal relationships and managing the stress that arises in these relationships. This study examined effects of mindfulness during relationship conflict on romantic partners’ global well-being and the mediating role of positive/negative affect surrounding the conflict. Adult heterosexual couples (103 dyads) participated in two laboratory sessions, the second involving a conflict resolution task. The curiosity component of mindfulness during conflict predicted partners’ well-being via increased positive affect surrounding the conflict. These effects emerged while controlling for general trait mindfulness, highlighting a unique effect of mindfulness during conflict. No effects for the decentering component of mindfulness or for negative affect were found. Implications for understanding mindfulness mechanisms in positive psychosocial functioning and targeting mindfulness interventions are discussed.