Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach

BackgroundThis study explores how personality traits and mindfulness facets interact to influence perceived stress, focusing on a Chinese adult sample. It aims to address gaps in understanding the combined effects of dispositional and mindfulness factors on stress.MethodsA sequential explanatory mix...

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Main Author: Litang Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1498458/full
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author Litang Zhao
author_facet Litang Zhao
author_sort Litang Zhao
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThis study explores how personality traits and mindfulness facets interact to influence perceived stress, focusing on a Chinese adult sample. It aims to address gaps in understanding the combined effects of dispositional and mindfulness factors on stress.MethodsA sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. In the quantitative phase, 637 Chinese adults completed surveys measuring personality traits, mindfulness (attention, acceptance), and perceived stress. Hierarchical multiple regression, moderation, and mediation analyses were conducted. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with selected participants provided deeper insights into the quantitative findings.ResultsNeuroticism (β = 0.29, p < 0.001) and conscientiousness (β = 0.15, p < 0.01) were positively associated with perceived stress, while mindfulness-acceptance (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) was a significant negative predictor. Neuroticism and mindfulness-acceptance uniquely explained 8 and 6% of the variance in stress, respectively. Mindfulness-attention moderated the relationship between agreeableness and stress, amplifying agreeableness’ stress-buffering effect in individuals with low mindfulness-attention. Mediation analysis revealed mindfulness-acceptance partially mediated the agreeableness-stress link. Qualitative interviews underscored the role of personality and mindfulness in shaping stress responses and coping mechanisms.ConclusionThe findings highlight mindfulness-acceptance as a critical factor in reducing stress, particularly in individuals with agreeable personalities. These results support the development of mindfulness-based interventions targeting acceptance to enhance stress resilience across diverse personality profiles.
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spelling doaj-art-53d1f19c15e24e53a5798fc81f77d68e2025-01-03T06:46:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-01-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.14984581498458Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approachLitang ZhaoBackgroundThis study explores how personality traits and mindfulness facets interact to influence perceived stress, focusing on a Chinese adult sample. It aims to address gaps in understanding the combined effects of dispositional and mindfulness factors on stress.MethodsA sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. In the quantitative phase, 637 Chinese adults completed surveys measuring personality traits, mindfulness (attention, acceptance), and perceived stress. Hierarchical multiple regression, moderation, and mediation analyses were conducted. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with selected participants provided deeper insights into the quantitative findings.ResultsNeuroticism (β = 0.29, p < 0.001) and conscientiousness (β = 0.15, p < 0.01) were positively associated with perceived stress, while mindfulness-acceptance (β = −0.25, p < 0.001) was a significant negative predictor. Neuroticism and mindfulness-acceptance uniquely explained 8 and 6% of the variance in stress, respectively. Mindfulness-attention moderated the relationship between agreeableness and stress, amplifying agreeableness’ stress-buffering effect in individuals with low mindfulness-attention. Mediation analysis revealed mindfulness-acceptance partially mediated the agreeableness-stress link. Qualitative interviews underscored the role of personality and mindfulness in shaping stress responses and coping mechanisms.ConclusionThe findings highlight mindfulness-acceptance as a critical factor in reducing stress, particularly in individuals with agreeable personalities. These results support the development of mindfulness-based interventions targeting acceptance to enhance stress resilience across diverse personality profiles.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1498458/fullperceived stresspersonality traitsBig Fivemindfulnessmindfulness-attentionmindfulness-acceptance
spellingShingle Litang Zhao
Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach
Frontiers in Psychology
perceived stress
personality traits
Big Five
mindfulness
mindfulness-attention
mindfulness-acceptance
title Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach
title_full Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach
title_fullStr Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach
title_full_unstemmed Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach
title_short Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach
title_sort personality traits mindfulness and perceived stress in chinese adults a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach
topic perceived stress
personality traits
Big Five
mindfulness
mindfulness-attention
mindfulness-acceptance
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1498458/full
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