THE MEDIATION ROLE OF SELF-ESTEEM IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MINDFULNESS AND TRAIT ANXIETY IN EARLY ADOLESCENCE

During early adolescence, higher mindfulness is linked to lower trait anxiety, and this relationship is partially explained by self-esteem. In a sample of 344 Turkish 5th-8th graders, mindfulness was associated with greater self-esteem, which in turn was associated with lower trait anxiety. Self-esteem partially mediated the mindfulness–anxiety link, meaning mindfulness may reduce anxiety partly by boosting self-esteem.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between mindfulness and trait anxiety during early adolescence. The research sample was selected using a convenient sampling method and comprised students attending 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in a private secondary school in Izmir during the 2020-2021 academic year. A total of 344 adolescents (221 girls, 123 boys) participated in the study. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, Mindfulness Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAMM), State and Trait Anxiety Scale for Children, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Process Tool Analysis Model 4 were employed to analyze the data. The bootstrapping process was applied to determine the confidence interval of the analysis, and the results were found to be statistically significant. Consequently, a significant relationship was observed between mindfulness, trait anxiety, and self-esteem in early adolescence. The role of self-esteem as a mediator in the relationship between mindfulness and trait anxiety was assessed, and it was found that self-esteem plays a partial mediating role in this relationship. The findings and implications are discussed in the context of existing literature, and suggestions for future research and applications are presented.