ORIGINAL ARTICLE A Meta-Analysis of Correlations between Trait Mindfulness and Impulsivity: Implications for Counseling Junfei Lu 1 & Keith Huffman 1 Published online: 11 August 2017 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2017 Abstract This study applied meta-analysis to investigate mean correlations between self- report measures of awareness and attention (AA) of trait mindfulness, and five major sub-traits of impulsivity that underlie various behavioral problems (e.g., binge drinking) and/or mental health issues. In total, we identified 13 articles and retrieved relevant information when provided. The results revealed that AA had various degrees of mean correlations (from small to large) with different impulsive sub-traits. Implications for counseling practice and future research are discussed. Keywords Mindfulness . Impulsivity . Meta-analysis . Counseling . Mental health Introduction Impulsivity can be defined as a Bpredisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli with diminished regard to the negative consequences of these reactions to the impulsive individual or to others^ (Fineberg et al. 2014, p. 70). It has been related to quite a few problematic behaviors, such as risky driving (Bachoo et al. 2013), physical violence (Chen et al. 2014), binge drinking (Townshend et al. 2014), delinquency (Vogel and Barton 2013), substance use, and risky sexual behaviors (Agarwal et al. 2013). Moreover, impulsivity is a major diagnostic criteria underlying a number of mental disorders; for instance, borderline personality disorder (Kotov et al. 2010), alcohol abuse (Christopher et al. 2013), eating disorders (Waxman 2009), substance abuse (Robinson et al. 2014), depression and anxiety (Corruble et al. 2003). In such cases, an individual’ s impulsive urge seems to become refractory and difficult to control. Int J Adv Counselling (2017) 39:345–359 DOI 10.1007/s10447-017-9302-2 * Junfei Lu junfei1982@gmail.com 1 Department of Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology and Counseling, The University of Alabama, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA