Facing Obstacles with Equanimity: Trait Equanimity Attenuates the Positive Relations Between Values Obstruction and Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Previous research consistently indicates that individuals who experience greater obstruction to valued living report higher levels of psychological distress and are at greater risk of developing mental health problems. Equanimity, which involves a calm and balanced mental attitude towards all experiences, is thought to protect against psychopathology and may be particularly helpful for navigating obstacles to valued living. The present research examined dispositional equanimity as a moderator of the positive relations between values obstruction and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Participants completed measures related to equanimity (Even-mindedness subscale of the Two-Factor Equanimity Scale; Equanimity Scale-16), values obstruction (Valuing Questionnaire), and psychological distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales). The final sample consisted of 368 American adults (51% women, age range = 18–82 years).

As hypothesized, trait equanimity moderated the positive relations between values obstruction and all three indicators of psychological distress, such that the positive relations were attenuated when individuals reported higher levels of equanimity. Results were consistent across two recently developed measures of equanimity. This research is limited by its cross-sectional design and the use of self-report measures only.

The present research offers preliminary evidence that dispositional equanimity attenuates the psychological distress that is typically associated with values obstruction. Future research can investigate whether cultivating an equanimous disposition through mindfulness exercises helps individuals to respond to obstacles in a manner that reduces adventitious suffering.

This study is not preregistered.