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. 2021 Nov;13(4):761-780.
doi: 10.1111/aphw.12268. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Variations in mindfulness associated with the COVID-19 outbreak: Differential effects on cognitive failures, intrusive thoughts and rumination

Antonella Lopez  1 , Alessandro Oronzo Caffò  1 , Luigi Tinella  1 , Manuela Nicoletta Di Masi  2 , Andrea Bosco  1
Affiliations

Variations in mindfulness associated with the COVID-19 outbreak: Differential effects on cognitive failures, intrusive thoughts and rumination

Antonella Lopez et al. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

The lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2019 (COVID-19) has caused psychological distress and cognitive discomfort for emerging adults, who have experienced increased rumination, intrusive thoughts and cognitive failures. States of mindfulness and being in the moment can prevent anxiety and fear associated with the lockdown and alleviate ruminative and automatic negative thinking. This longitudinal study investigated the role of mindfulness before and during the COVID-19 lockdown in protecting a sample of emerging adults from experiencing cognitive failures, intrusive thoughts and rumination and examined how lockdown-related variables-emotions, socio-economic status and housing conditions-influenced this mindfulness profile. The results showed overall more cognitive failures and rumination during lockdown, especially in participants whose mindfulness status diminished. However, these signs of cognitive distress remained stable or decreased among participants who reported improved changes in mindfulness. Financial difficulties and a reduced sense of privacy associated with the lockdown predicted lower stability in mindfulness profiles. The state of being fully aware of what is happening in the present moment may be helpful in reducing cognitive discomfort and psychological maladjustment, especially during stressful times such as lockdowns.

Keywords: COVID-19 lockdown; cognitive failures; emerging adults; intrusive thoughts; longitudinal study; mindfulness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Mean and standard errors in bars for the total score on the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire for each group at T1 and T2. HH, high mindfulness at T1 and T2; HL, high mindfulness at T1 and low at T2; LH, low mindfulness at T1 and high at T2; LL, low mindfulness at T1 and T2 [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Mean and standard errors in bars for the total score on the Ruminative Responses Scale for each group at T1 and T2. HH, high mindfulness at T1 and T2; HL, high mindfulness at T1 and low at T2; LH, low mindfulness at T1 and high at T2; LL, low mindfulness at T1 and T2 [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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