Individual mindfulness and objective performance. An experimental approach

Resumen

In the last 20-30 years, the concept of mindfulness has become increasingly popular shifting from a central aspect of Buddhist practices to a therapeutic tool (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program; MBSR, Kabat-Zinn, 1982) and finally a concept integrated in the organizational setting. However, the research is underdeveloped regarding the relationship between individual mindfulness and performance (Dane, 2011). In the same line, in a recent meta-analysis, Verhaeghen (2021) still indicates the fact that the majority of the studies are focused on the effects of mindfulness on well-being. Hence, it seems relevant to investigate mindfulness in relation to performance because obtaining a state of consciousness implies the effort one has to make to direct their attention toward a task to obtain the expected outcome. Research suggests that how individuals direct their attention affects how they make strategic decisions (Nadkarni & Barr, 2008) and if they observe and use the available resources (Weick, 1993). Thus, performing well requires not only paying attention but also actively applying one¿s intentions (Ajzen, 1991). Furthermore, when we look at the results regarding this relationship, we observe that more research is needed to help understand when and for whom mindfulness influences performance. In addition, is mandatory to distinguish between trait and state mindfulness in an attempt to provide an integrated perspective on the expected outcomes. Thus, the general objective of this doctoral thesis was to contribute to further understanding of the relationship between individual mindfulness and objective performance. This main objective was translated in three studies (one revision and two experimental studies). Study 1 was a revision and highlighted the view of the current literature regarding mindfulness in organizations and helped identify important limitations. Study 2 investigated the relationship between trait mindfulness and the outcome component of performance, evaluated with objective indicators (accuracy, reaction time, variability in reaction times, and detection of unexpected stimuli) on an attention task. Study 3 investigated the relationship between state mindfulness and the outcome component of performance (besides the aforementioned objective indicators of performance, we added rigidity scores) on three different cognitive tasks. Moreover, we wanted to test the moderator role of trait mindfulness and the moderator role of task complexity in the relationship between state mindfulness and objective performance. Results show: 1) the lack of evidence regarding the influence of mindfulness on performance (Study 1); 2) trait mindfulness had a positive impact on the detection of unexpected stimuli (Study 2 and Study 3); 3) the relationship between state mindfulness and reaction time for the Stroop task with the highest level of complexity (task 4) (Study 3); 4) the moderating role of trait mindfulness in the relationship between state mindfulness and reaction time for low complexity tasks, detection of unexpected stimuli and rigidity scores (Study 3); 5) the relationship between trait mindfulness and objective indicators of performance (in the control group (Study 3); 6) the conclusion that a brief mindfulness exercise is beneficial only for those with low trait mindfulness (Study 3); 7) that the task complexity plays a relevant role as a moderator in reaction time, but only for the most complex task (Study 3).