The Hitchhikers Guide to Mental-Contrasting: Exploring the Intersection of Mindfulness & Mental Time Travel

Abstract

Beneficial correlates of mindfulness as a trait and intervention are widely researched. However, this phenomenon as a quality of consciousness remains ambiguous, especially in regards to its relationship with time. Mindfulness emphasizes intentionality; has been proposed to represent healthy time perspectivity; and is correlated with goal conceptualization, pursuit, and achievement. As a preliminary measure in closing this research disparity, probing mindfulness and its relationship with the goal conceptualization strategy mental-contrasting emerged as an intuitive addition to the body of research. This strategy professes three tenets: goal inception, obstacle generation, and solution cultivation. As present-minded action is accentuated, mindfulness is anticipated to be compatible with this model. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) assessed subjects (n=78) instructed with a Think Aloud protocol during which they vocalized organically-emerging thoughts for ten-minute recorded intervals. A qualitative scoring analysis was applied so as to discern the proportion of mental-contrasting. Linear regression models demonstrated a positive correlation (p <0.001, r-value: 509) between trait mindfulness and the utilization of the full three tenets of mental-contrasting. Fantasizing possessed an inverse relationship with trait mindfulness (p-value: 0.012, r-value: -0.289), while failing to generate solutions to goal obstacles was also negatively correlated with trait mindfulness (p <0.001, r-value: -0.467). Mindfulness as an intervention may be calibrated to encompass such adaptive temporal implementation.