Mindfulness,Spousal Attachment,and Marital Satisfaction: A Mediated Model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between mindfulness, spousal attachment, and marital satisfaction. The national sample included 104 married adults aged 19–66. Results indicated partial support for the mediating effect of spousal attachment on the relationship between trait mindfulness and marital satisfaction. Although the relationship between trait mindfulness and marital satisfaction demonstrated in the current study is not the first of its kind, these results provide preliminary support for the role of spousal attachment as the mechanism through which trait mindfulness may contribute to greater marital satisfaction. These findings suggest that mindful attunement to one’s partner may promote the activation and growth of neural circuitry associated with safety, security, and positive affect within the romantic relationship, that mindfulness training may have beneficial effects for couples' therapy and relationship enhancement, and that mindfulness training could help foster healthy spousal attachment.