Relationships between Mindfulness, Purpose in Life, Happiness, Anxiety, and Depression: Testing a Mediation Model in a Sample of Women
A. Crego, J. R. Yela, M. Gómez-Martínez, Pablo Riesco-Matías, Cristina Petisco-Rodríguez
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 21, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18030925 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey with structural equation modeling Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,267 |
| Population | Women |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness was associated with higher happiness and lower anxiety and depression, partially mediated by purpose in life and behavioral activation. |
Abstract
Mindfulness is connected to positive outcomes related to mental health and well-being. However, the psychological mechanisms that account for these relationships are largely unknown. A multiple-step multiple mediator structural equation modeling (SEM) model was tested with mindfulness as the independent variable; purpose in life and behavioral activation as serial mediators; and happiness, anxiety, and depression as outcome measures. Data were obtained from 1267 women. Higher mindfulness was associated with higher levels of happiness and lower anxiety and depression symptoms. The association of mindfulness with the outcome variables could be partially accounted for by purpose in life and behavioral activation. The SEM model explained large proportions of variance in happiness (50%), anxiety (34%), and depression (44%) symptoms. Mindfulness is associated with both a sense of purpose in life and engagement in activities, which are also connected with positive outcomes. Moreover, having purposes in life is linked to higher levels of behavioral activation.