| In recent years, interest in mindfulness research has blossomed in clinical psychology circles. Studies have suggested that increased mindfulness can positively impact stress levels, physiology, and cognition (Baer, 2003; Walsh & Shapiro, 2006). Despite its potential for psychological benefits, mindfulness has only recently begun to be explored as a potential means of intimate relationship enhancement. This study investigated whether individuals participating in mindfulness training programs experienced an increase from baseline in relationship satisfaction. It also explored whether a change in mindfulness over the course of the intervention associated with a change in relationship satisfaction. This project was a within-group longitudinal pilot study, aiming to test the relationship between changes in mindfulness and changes in relationship satisfaction as measured across Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR; Kabat-Zinn, 1990) interventions. Twenty-four participants in romantic relationships who were enrolled in community-based MBSR classes were recruited for this study. Self-report measures of mindfulness (Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills; Baer, Smith & Allen, 2004) and relationship satisfaction (Dyadic Adjustment Scale; Spanier, 1976) were collected pre- and post-intervention at MBSR classes, and were analyzed within subjects.;Results indicated that mindfulness training did associate with improvements in relationship satisfaction. However, some surprising results were found with regard to interaction effects within this finding. Among the individuals who began the MBSR intervention with the highest levels of relationship satisfaction, increases in mindfulness associated with increases in relationship satisfaction. However, among the individuals who began the MBSR intervention with the lowest levels of relationship satisfaction, the largest increases in relationship satisfaction were observed with the participants who gained the least mindfulness. Limitations of this research, suggestions for future research, and clinical implications of these findings are discussed. |
