The role of mindfulness in theory of mind and mild depression

Human beings have capacities to attribute mental states such as knowledge, beliefs, desires, feelings and intentions to the self and others (Premack & Woodruff, 1978). The current study aims to investigate the relationships among mindfulness, theory of mind and mild depression in university students. The sample consisted of two hundred one students (152 female, 49 men; age range; 18-27) "Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)" (Baer et al., 2006; standardized into Turkish by Kınay, 2013), "Reading Mind from the Eyes Test (RMET)" (Baron-Cohen et al., 1997; standardized into Turkish by Yıldırım et al.,2011)," Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)" (Beck, 1961); standardized into Turkish by Hisli in 1984, "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (HAD)" (Zigmond & Sinnead, 1983; standardized into Turkish by Aydemir et al., 1997) were given to participants. In each experimental session, small group of participants completed the battery of questionnaires and Eyes Test. The four measures were presented in paper-and-pencil form and counterbalanced order. Only one facet of mindfulness, acting with awareness, had significant positive correlation with the Eyes Test total score, and also, acting with awareness facet had significant positive correlation with negative items sub-test of the Eyes Test. To compare the Eyes Test performances of participants based on their mindfulness score, participants were grouped on their mindfulness score as high or low based on the median. Eyes Test score of participants in the upper mindful group did not differ than participants in the lower mindful group. There were significantly negative correlations between depression and four facets of FFMQ except observing. Describe, acting with awareness, non-judging in inner experience, and non-reactivity to inner experience facets, were negatively correlated to depression scores. However, there was a non-significant relationship between Eyes Test and depression scores. Similarly, the differences between mild depression group's Eyes Test total score and non- depression group's Eyes Test total score was non-significant. Acting with awareness facet of mindfulness may have a role on theory of mind ability and mild depression.