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Advances in Social & Occupational Ergonomics pp 397–407Cite as

The Relationship Between Sustained Attention and Mindfulness Among U.S. Active Duty Service Members and Veterans

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Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 487))

Abstract

Sustained attention is critical for military service members in operational environments. This study explored the relationship between sustained attention and mindfulness among military personnel and veterans (n = 247). Volunteers completed a sustained attention task (Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test), and two mindfulness surveys (Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale [MAAS] and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire [FFMQ]). Results revealed positive correlations between the MAAS and Full Scale Response Control Quotient (FSRCQ) and Full Scale Attention Quotient (FSAQ) scores. For the FFMQ, Acting with Awareness was positively correlated with the FSRCQ and FSAQ; Describing was correlated with FSRCQ; and Non-judging was correlated with FSAQ. Thus, increases in mindfulness were associated with increases in sustained visual and auditory attention, and certain facets of mindfulness were more closely aligned with sustained performance than others. These results suggest mindfulness training may assist with improving sustained attention, and that research in this area is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by the Army Study Program Management Office (ASPMO). Our appreciation is offered to our colleagues Gary L. Boykin Sr., Angela D. Jeter and Rebekah L. Tree. Special thanks to those who participated in this study. Our appreciation is extended to all U.S. service members and veterans.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Army Research Laboratory HRED AMEDD Field Element, 2950 Koehler Rd, Suite 1099, Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, 78234-7731, USA

    Valerie J. Rice

  2. DCS Corporation, Alexandria, VA, USA

    Baoxia Liu

Authors
  1. Valerie J. Rice
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  2. Baoxia Liu
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Correspondence to Valerie J. Rice .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, CE Delft, The Netherlands

    Richard H.M. Goossens

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Rice, V.J., Liu, B. (2017). The Relationship Between Sustained Attention and Mindfulness Among U.S. Active Duty Service Members and Veterans. In: Goossens, R. (eds) Advances in Social & Occupational Ergonomics. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 487. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41688-5_37

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41688-5_37

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41687-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-41688-5

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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