Mindfulness Disposition as a Protective Factor Against the Psychological Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The study aims to review and perform a meta-analysis of studies about the relationship between mindfulness disposition and psychological outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten electronic databases were searched from November 2021 to March 2022. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted. Forty-four studies were included in the meta-analysis, and 15 studies were considered for the qualitative synthesis. Pearson correlations analysis was conducted. Anxiety and dispositional mindfulness were found to be moderately negatively correlated (r = -0.397; p < .001), as well as depression and dispositional mindfulness (r = -0.323; p < .001). A weak negative correlation was found for both psychological distress (r = -0.201; p < .002) and COVID-19-related fears (r = -0.136; p < .001). Longitudinal studies included in the systematic review also suggest the stability of these associations over time. Mindfulness disposition is negatively associated with anxiety, stress, fears, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness represented a protective factor against negative psychological reactions. Its promotion during other challenging periods should be further explored.