Fostering Mental Well-being, Mindfulness and Self-Esteem amongst students of higher Education

This review synthesizes post-2020 empirical research on the relationships among mindfulness, self-esteem, and mental well-being, focusing on higher education students. It finds meaningful connections among these variables, suggesting that mindfulness—defined as non-judgmental present-moment awareness—relates positively to self-esteem and overall mental well-being. The authors propose that these elements interact to promote psychological resilience and life satisfaction, emphasizing their collective role in supporting robust mental health among students. The review highlights the growing scholarly interest in these constructs amid rising psychological distress and identity challenges.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The relationship between mindfulness, self-esteem, and mental well-being has garnered significant scholarly interest in recent years, especially as individuals across the globe face rising psychological distress, stress, and identity challenges. Mindfulness, often defined as the non-judgmental awareness of the present moment (Kabat-Zinn, 2003), has shown promising associations with psychological constructs like self-esteem and overall well-being. This review synthesizes recent empirical research (post-2020) to explore how mindfulness relates to self-esteem and mental well-being, and how these elements interact to promote psychological resilience and life satisfaction. Mindfulness has long been appreciated as a cognitive and emotional skill that cultivates present-moment awareness. More recently, its impact on self-perception—specifically self-esteem—has become a focus of psychological research. This research set out to examine how mindfulness, self-esteem, and mental well-being are interrelated in the context of higher education students. The findings highlighted meaningful connections among these variables, emphasizing their collective role in promoting robust mental health and emotional resilience among students.