THE ROLE OF TRAIT MINDFULNESS AND SELF-COMPASSION IN COGNITIVE MOTIVATION BASED ON SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY

Abstract

Past research has shown that mindfulness and self-compassion are protective traits that cultivate resilience against mental illnesses. However, less is known about how these traits influence psychological outcomes, such as motivation. The self-determination theory may provide the missing link based on its concept of autonomous motivation, which is closely related to both traits. 20 control participants and 15 participants with Major Depressive Disorder were recruited to participate in an effort-based decision-making task assessing motivation, specifically cognitive motivation based on the Cognitive Effort Motivation Task (CEMT). Their cognitive motivation scores were compared against self-report measures of depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale), mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire) and autonomous motivation (Global Motivation Scale, Situational Motivational Scale). Results showed that self-compassion and mindfulness predicted cognitive motivation. The mindfulness and overidentification facets of self-compassion were significantly correlated with cognitive motivation based on adjusted alpha levels, whereas the remaining self-compassion facets were trending in correlation. On the other hand, none of the facets in the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire had significant correlations with cognitive motivation. Furthermore, global motivation was found to be a significant mediator between cognitive motivation and mindfulness, self-compassion as well as depressive symptoms. However, situational motivation did not significantly predict cognitive motivation and could not be used as a mediator. Overall, developing mindfulness and self-compassion traits may help to enhance cognitive motivation by improving autonomous motivation, but clinicians need to design their interventions to target the different facets and mechanisms.