Are mindful people more risk‐averse? Effects of trait and state mindfulness on risk preference in decision‐making

Abstract

T he current research investigated whether various aspects of mindfulness were differentially associated with risk preference in decision-making. In Studies 1 and 2, attention and present-focus aspects of trait mindfulness were associated with lower risk preference in making monetary gains. In Study 3, participants completed either a mindfulness training or listened to a comparable control recording. Compared to the control condition, subjects in the mindfulness condition were more risk-averse in making choices for monetary gains. The attention and present-focus aspects of state mindfulness mediated this connection. Study 4 introduced a loss framing, where attention and present-focus no longer associated with lower risk preference, but awareness and acceptance aspects of trait mindfulness associated with higher risk preference in avoiding monetary losses. The results suggest that different aspects of mindfulness have potential for mitigating risk preference, but such potential is limited depending on the framing of a decision context.

Mindful Eating, Nutrition Knowledge, and Weight Status among Medical Students: Implications for Health and Counseling Practices

“…Previous research has also linked mindfulness to reduced risk-taking behaviors [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], while stress and low quality of life have been associated with mindless eating [ 20 , 38 , 39 ]. Our data on medical students corroborate these associations, highlighting the role of stress and quality of life in influencing eating behaviors.…”

Mindfulness Training, Cognitive Performance and Stress Reduction

“…9 The targeted outcome of the programs was stress and mental strain in 81% of the studies reviewed by Eby et al (2019); most investigations focus on the measurement of perceived stress and affect, and sometimes attention to response tasks, or working memory. There are studies investigating individual and social decision making in experimental settings but not when mindfulness training was implemented at a company (e.g., Hafenbrack et al, 2014, on the sunk cost bias; Kirk et al, 2011, on decisions in the ultimatum game; Lakey et al, 2007, andZhang, Chen et al, 2021, on risk taking and impulsive gambling). 10 Behavioral measures are completed in some studies with physical (e.g., weight, blood pressure), electro-and psychophysiological measures (e.g., skin conductance, heartbeat).…”