The Association Between Mindfulness and Perceived Stress: A Meta‐Analysis
Nicola S. Schutte, Adam J. Rock
Stress and Health July 18, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/smi.70209 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24,494 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Association psychology Perceived stress scale Facet psychology Stress linguistics Cognition Clinical psychology Cognitive appraisal |
| Key findings | Greater mindfulness is associated with less perceived stress, with a weighted effect size of r = -0.40. |
Abstract
This study consolidated the association of mindfulness with perceived stress found across studies. A meta-analysis examined the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress in 56 samples, which included a total of 24,494 participants. The weighted effect size of r(55) = -0.40, 95% CI [-0.36, 0-44], p = 0.0001, showed that greater mindfulness was associated with less perceived stress. Studies assessing mindfulness using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale or the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire showed substantial effect sizes, as did studies assessing stress using the Perceived Stress Scale. Even though the present meta-analysis does not show causality, the results suggest a possible bidirectional relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress. The nonjudgmental awareness comprising mindfulness may facilitate an appraisal of life events and challenges that results in events and challenges as being perceived as less stressful. Lower perceived stress may free cognitive resources that promote mindfulness.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Testing the indirect effect of trait mindfulness on adolescent cigarette smoking through negative affect and perceived stress mediators Journal of Substance Use October 3, 2011
- Dispositional Mindfulness and Memory Problems: The Role of Perceived Stress and Sleep Quality. Mindfulness September 13, 2016
- Personality traits, mindfulness, and perceived stress in Chinese adults: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach Frontiers in Psychology January 3, 2025
and 10 more in the library