| dc.description.abstract | Due to the high risks associated with the Covid-19 virus, several measures all over the
globe were put in place to keep the pandemic in check (e.g., lockdowns). These measures
seem to increase people’s stress levels (Lemenager et al., 2020; Serafini et al., 2020). One
way to cope with stress is through traits like mindfulness (Jasbi et al., 2018; Grossman et al.,
2004). Individuals with higher levels of mindfulness could experience less stress in response
to Covid-19 by helping to disengage from rumination and negative emotions. Hence, the
current study investigated if exposure to Covid-19-related news influences Covid-19-related
distress and if a brief mindfulness intervention moderates this effect. Data was collected via a
self-report survey experiment on trait mindfulness and stress resilience in 140 participants on
Amazon mTurk. The participants received either a three-minute mindfulness intervention or
an excerpt from an audiobook. Afterward, they were exposed to either a Covid-19-related or a
non-Covid-related distressing news clip. Finally, attention and manipulation checks were
given to the participants, and Covid-19-related distress was assessed. No support was found
that there would be an increase in Covid-19-related distress after exposure to Covid-19 news,
nor support for moderating effects of a brief mindfulness intervention. However, analysis of
stress resilience and the control variables provided exciting insight and possibilities for future
research. | |
