Among 226 elite athletes, trait mindfulness predicts mental wellbeing through two parallel pathways: increased gratitude toward pleasant moments and greater self-compassion toward unpleasant moments. The mediation analysis controlled for age, gender, sport type, fitness status, and country of residence. Cultivating gratitude and self-compassion through mindfulness-based programs may help protect and promote athlete wellbeing.
An 8-week mindfulness program for elite athletes improved wellbeing through four mechanisms: setting wellbeing intentions, developing moment-to-moment awareness to boost positive affect and autonomy, using bodily and sensory attention for emotional regulation, and cultivating self-compassion to foster growth in sport and personal life. The qualitative study of 13 athletes (8 women, 5 men, average age 22.23) suggests these processes explain how mindfulness enhances mental health in this population.