Mindfulness and Its Association With Varied Types of Motivation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Using Self-Determination Theory

Abstract

Mindfulness has been shown to have varied associations with different forms of motivation, leading to a lack of clarity as to how and when it may foster healthy motivational states. Grounded in self-determination theory, the present study proposes a theoretical model for how mindfulness supports different forms of human motivation, and then tests this via meta-analysis. A systematic review identified 89 relevant studies ( N = 25,176), comprising 104 independent data sets and 200 effect sizes. We used a three-level modeling approach to meta-analyze these data. Across both correlational and intervention studies, we found consistent support for mindfulness predicting more autonomous forms of motivation and, among correlational studies, less controlled motivation and amotivation. We conducted moderation analyses to probe heterogeneity in the effects, including bias within studies. We conclude by highlighting substantive and methodological issues that need to be addressed in future research in this area.

Mindfully motivated: Can a brief session of mindfulness meditation enhance motivation towards personal goals?

“…The notion that mindfulness is negatively associated with amotivation (Donald et al, 2019) is supported by the present research. Amotivation is characterized by a state in which there is a lack of motivation and intentionality; it describes the extent to which individuals are passive, ineffective and/or without purpose (Ryan & Deci, 2017).…”

“…On the other hand, although mindfulness is characterized by an attitude of acceptance, this does not imply passivity or apathy (Good et al, 2016). As previously noted, both trait and state mindfulness are positively associated with autonomous motivation, which involves pursuing goals because they are meaningful and engaging (Brown & Ryan, 2003), and experimental research suggests that long-term mindfulness interventions promote an autonomous orientation (Donald et al, 2019). In addition, the finding that mindfulness is negatively associated with amotivation (Donald et al, 2019) seems particularly problematic for the proposition that mindfulness impairs motivation.…”

“…Other research suggests that inducing state mindfulness can promote emotional resilience (Arch & Craske, 2006;Erisman & Roemer, 2010) and counteract ego-depletion (Friese et al, 2012). Taken together, engaging in mindfulness exercises may help individuals regulate challenging emotions, potentially through acceptance and nonreactivity (Donald et al, 2019), and ultimately sustain motivation towards meaningful goals (Miele, Scholer, & Fujita, 2020).…”

“…The idea that becoming more aware of the value of one's goals would, in turn, lead to motivational benefits is consistent with expectancy-valence theories of motivation, where the amount of motivation to pursue a goal depends on the psychological value of the goal and the likelihood of attaining it (e.g., Feather, 1990;Vroom, 1964). The enhanced awareness and reflection that characterizes state mindfulness may increase individuals' ability to recognize the value of their goals (Donald, et al, 2019), which should, in turn, boost their motivation. Without prompts to deploy mindful attention, participants in the podcast condition may have been less attuned to, or even distracted from, the importance of their goals (Levesque & Brown, 2007); this notion may help to account for the decrease in goal motivation in Study 1.…”

“…For example, individuals higher in trait mindfulness appear to be less likely to endorse extrinsic values such as wealth and image (Brown, Kasser, Ryan, Linley, & Orzech, 2009;Wang, Liu, Tan, & Zheng, 2017). Therefore, in environments where extrinsic values are emphasized, mindfulness inductions may impair motivation (Donald et al, 2019).…”