Relationships between Mindfulness, Purpose in Life, Happiness, Anxiety, and Depression: Testing a Mediation Model in a Sample of Women
Antonio L 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.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Low-intensity mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry March 7, 2024
- Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students. BMC Psychology May 27, 2025
- Effectiveness of an online Japanese version of the mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting programme on prenatal mental health: A single group clinical trial. Midwifery June 1, 2025
- A Comparative Analysis of Positive Mindfulness and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Training on Automatic Thoughts and Optimism Among Medical Science Students Journal of Archives in Military Medicine December 30, 2024
- Navigating the Storm: How Does Meditation Influence Mental Health Among Older Adults With Chronic Conditions? Journal of Population Ageing April 18, 2026
and 8 more in the library
Cites 16
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- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- An empirical study of the mechanisms of mindfulness in a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program Journal of Clinical Psychology March 6, 2009
and 11 more in the library