Mindfulness, subjective, and psychological well-being: A comparative analysis of FFMQ and MAAS measures.
Anastasia Stuart-Edwards
Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.70019 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 185 |
| Population | Adults recruited from Prolific |
| Intervention | Mindfulness intervention |
| Duration | Two-week intervention, with one pre- and two post-intervention measures |
| Measures | Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Personal satisfaction Awareness Attention Psychometrics Middle aged Female Young adult Surveys and questionnaires Psychological well-being Positive psychology Psychological capital Subjective well‐being Psychological well‐being |
| Key findings | Mindfulness was positively and similarly associated with subjective and psychological well-being, with stronger indirect links to psychological well-being via psychological capital. The two-week intervention itself had limited effects. The FFMQ's "describing" facet was particularly influential for both well-being outcomes. |
Abstract
This study investigates the relationships of mindfulness with subjective well-being and psychological well-being through the mediating role of psychological capital. It also compares the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) in relation to these outcomes. Using a randomized controlled design, 185 participants from Prolific completed a brief two-week mindfulness intervention, with one pre- and two post-intervention measures. While the intervention effects were limited, the findings reveal that mindfulness is positively and similarly associated with both SWB and PWB, with stronger indirect links to PWB via PsyCap. While both measures of mindfulness had similar relationships with all outcomes, the multidimensional FFMQ offered additional insights, identifying the "describing" facet as particularly influential for both SWB and PWB, informing new potential paths for theorizing and practice.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Global trends and emerging themes in psychological well‐being and mindfulness research: A science‐mapping study aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well‐being) Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being December 1, 2025
- A brief transnational measure of mindfulness: measurement invariance of the Five Item Mindfulness-Based Awareness Scale in six Latin American countries Medical Education & Clinical Practice May 4, 2026
- Effects of a Brief Inpatient Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Distress and Marital Satisfaction in High‐Risk Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial Health science reports September 23, 2026
- Mindfulness-based intervention for patients with generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2026
Cites 16
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Contemplating Mindfulness at Work Journal of Management November 19, 2015
and 11 more in the library