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29-07-2024 | ORIGINAL PAPER

The Effect of Mindfulness on Marital Stability via Perceived Stress: Findings from a Dyadic Study of Older Couples in China

Auteurs: Rong Zhang, Jie Wu, Yemo Duan, Fei Sun

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 8/2024

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Abstract

Objectives

This study examined the relationship between mindfulness and perceived marital stability among older couples in China.

Method

Based upon a sample of 187 heterosexual Chinese couples aged 53–85, we conducted dyadic analyses to identify whether individuals’ stress and marital stability were influenced by the practice of mindfulness of their partners. In line with actor-partner interdependence mediation models (APIMeM), we examined four indirect effects: actor-actor (mindfulness, mediator, and outcome of one’s own), actor-partner (mindfulness, and mediator of oneself, and outcome of the partner), partner-actor (the partner’s mindfulness, and mediator, and outcome of one’s own), and partner-partner (mindfulness, and outcome of oneself, and mediator of the partner).

Results

Results of the dyadic actor-partner interdependence mediation models suggested different indirect effects for females and males. For females, there were significant actor-actor, actor-partner indirect effects across mindfulness and its four subdomains (Describing, Acting with Awareness, Non-judging, and Non-reactivity). For males, there were significant actor-partner, partner-actor, and partner-partner across mindfulness and Describing and Acting with Awareness facets.

Conclusions

Trait mindfulness may have helped couples maintain their relationships by decreasing their and their partners’ perceived stress within and across dyads.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
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Metagegevens
Titel
The Effect of Mindfulness on Marital Stability via Perceived Stress: Findings from a Dyadic Study of Older Couples in China
Auteurs
Rong Zhang
Jie Wu
Yemo Duan
Fei Sun
Publicatiedatum
29-07-2024
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Mindfulness / Uitgave 8/2024
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02409-3