Knowledge Bank

Two studies explored the effects of mindfulness on mortality salience (MS) effects. Study 1 (154 college students) induced mindfulness or relaxation followed by a MS or control induction. A 2 x 2 ANOVA revealed an interaction effect (p = .05) such that mindfulness increased death thought accessibility. Study 2 (57 college students) examined self-regulatory depletion--a possible confound for Study 1. A regression analysis revealed no significant difference (p > .05) between the mindfulness and relaxation inductions on self-regulatory depletion, thus supporting the conclusion of Study 1. The present research supports the hypothesis that trained mindfulness decreases effects of MS.