Satisfying Basic Needs: The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice on Character Strengths, Mindfulness, and Well-being Across Two Samples

The Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) is an 8-week manualized program that integrates character strengths and mindfulness to promote well-being. Although its benefits for well-being are documented, its impact on the development of character strengths and mindfulness, and the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Across two randomized controlled trials ( N1 = 42, M age = 44.74, SD age = 9.70, N2 = 53, M age = 32.23, SD age = 14.40), we examined MBSP’s impact on character strengths and dispositional mindfulness over time (five and two time points, respectively), on a multidimensional measure of well-being (i.e., PERMA), and the mediating role of basic psychological needs (Study 2, pre-registered). Overall, MBSP produced small to medium effects on half of character strengths and overall dispositional mindfulness that lasted beyond the end of the intervention (up to six and three months after, respectively). For well-being, the only significant direct effect was on negative emotions; however, changes in overall PERMA were fully mediated by satisfaction of basic psychological needs, particularly autonomy. Higher character strengths also mediated gains in well-being. These findings suggest that MBSP can enhance character strengths and mindfulness, reduce negative emotions, and improve well-being via the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and changes in character strengths levels.