View article

This study sought to examine how daily mind wandering is related to loneliness, felt connection to others, and school belonging among college students. Three samples (n = 209, n = 173, and n = 266) from two US campuses were recruited. Data were collected via ecological momentary assessment over the course of two academic quarters in one sample and an academic semester in two samples. Social well-being declined throughout the academic term in all samples. Lower day-to-day mind wandering predicted lower loneliness at the next time point and was concurrently related to a higher felt connection to others and higher school belonging. Thoughts about the past and future were associated with lower social well-being than present-focused thoughts. This study supports the proposition that promoting present-centered attention can benefit college …