The Role of Self‐Connection in the Relationship between Mindfulness and Meaning: A Longitudinal Examination

Background Researchers have rarely examined mindfulness and meaning in a way that informs the causality and directionality of this relationship. The current research examines this relationship across time, further validates the Self‐Connection Scale (SCS), and examines the role of self‐connection in both moderating and mediating this relationship. This allows for researchers and practitioners alike to utilise self‐connection to help increase their own and others’ well‐being. Methods One hundred and fifty‐four participants completed measures of mindfulness, self‐connection, and meaning over 4 weeks. We also included various measures related to well‐being to further examine the nomological network of the SCS. Results Multi‐level models examined a total of 432 observations across 108 participants. Mindfulness predicted an increase in the presence of but not search for meaning. Self‐connection partially mediated the effect on the presence of meaning and moderated the effect on the search for meaning. Furthermore, the SCS demonstrated good validity and reliability across time. Conclusions Self‐connection, as measured by the SCS, has an important role in positive psychology, and those with a deficit are likely to benefit the most from increased mindfulness. Together, this provides several implications for using mindfulness and self‐connection research in personal and professional practice.