Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Regulation, Mind-Wandering, and Self-Other Aspects of Wellbeing

Self-regulation, and more recently mind-wandering, are two of the main predictors of wellbeing across the lifespan. However, both of these constructs have been traditionally studied from a self-focused perspective, just like most current wellbeing frameworks. This thesis examined how self-other aspects of wellbeing have so far been considered and researched in relation to self-regulation, mind-wandering and different types of wellbeing, and investigated if self-focused thoughts and other-focused thoughts can be differentially modified by brief meditation inductions in relation to mind-wandering frequency and affect.

A cross-sectional survey study (Study I) recruited 380 Chinese students and found that self-regulation was positively associated with psychological wellbeing and negatively associated with mind-wandering. A hierarchical regression model where self-regulation was combined with the humanity-oriented trait (a caring other-focused trait) predicted psychological wellbeing better than self-regulation alone. A mediation analysis showed the negative effects of more mind-wandering on psychological wellbeing could be mitigated by greater scores on the humanity-oriented trait.

A randomized control study (Study II) with 55 native English speakers was conducted to further investigate mind-wandering and affectivity changes by comparing the effects of a brief mindful self-focused meditation induction (MM) and a brief caring other-focused meditation induction (CM) to an attention control group (AC). The 3 (group: MM, CM, AC) by 2 (time: pre-test, post-test) mixed ANOVA results showed that both MM and CM altered other-focused habitual thoughts. Compared to MM, CM also resulted in increased other-caring thoughts, improved Spatial Frame of Reference Continuum, and decreased perceived body boundaries. No significant change was found in affect as impacted by CM or MM. The results suggest that caring-other thoughts and a sense of body boundaries could be the early precursors of positive changes in affect. Overall, this thesis introduced, both in theory and through empirical research, a new perspective on self-other aspects of wellbeing in relation to self-regulation and mind-wandering.