Mindfulness and life satisfaction in post-earthquake young adults: longitudinal mediation by psychological adjustment.
Esra Teke
BMC Psychology February 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-04081-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal study with cross-lagged panel model for a half-longitudinal design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 277 |
| Population | Turkish young adult earthquake survivors |
| Duration | Approximately six months between surveys |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Earthquake Life satisfaction Longitudinal mediation Psychological adjustment |
| Key findings | Mindfulness at Time 1 predicted higher psychological adjustment at Time 2, which then contributed to greater life satisfaction, with psychological adjustment mediating the longitudinal association between mindfulness and life satisfaction. |
Abstract
Large-scale traumatic events such as earthquakes have profound and long-lasting impacts on individuals' psychological well-being. However, the protective mechanisms that may foster adjustment and support life satisfaction in the aftermath of such disasters remain insufficiently explored. This longitudinal study examined the mediating role of psychological adjustment in the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction among young adult earthquake survivors. Data were collected through two web-based surveys conducted approximately six months apart. The final sample consisted of 277 Turkish young adults (58.5% female; M = 21.52, SD = 2.29). Using a cross-lagged panel model for a half-longitudinal design, the findings revealed that mindfulness at Time 1 significantly predicted higher psychological adjustment at Time 2, which in turn contributed to greater life satisfaction. Moreover, psychological adjustment mediated the longitudinal association between mindfulness and life satisfaction. In this context, the findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions and structured psychological counseling can effectively support life satisfaction and post-trauma adjustment, offering practical guidance for post-disaster mental health practices.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 11
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- Mindfulness Interventions in Older Adults for Mental Health and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis. The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences March 12, 2025
and 6 more in the library