Mindfulness and Death Anxiety Among Emerging Adults of Kerala

Abstract

Emerging adulthood, a phase of intense self-exploration, heightens vulnerability to existential concerns, particularly death anxiety. Mindfulness may serve as a vital buffer, yet its role remains underexplored within Indian, particularly South Indian, contexts. This study investigates the relationship between mindfulness and death anxiety among emerging adults in Kerala, examining how specific facets of mindfulness relate to different dimensions of death anxiety and whether sociodemographic factors influence these constructs. A crosssectional survey was conducted among 440 emerging adults (aged 18–29 years). The FiveFacet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviours Scale were administered through online platforms. Data were analysed using non-parametric tests. Additionally, both simple and multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine the predictive power of mindfulness and its facets on global death anxiety and its subscales. Mindfulness has a significant negative correlation with death anxiety, and it accounted for 1.9% of the variance (R² = .019). Notably, the facets acting with awareness and nonjudgmental inner experience were found to be the strongest negative predictors, while the description facet positively predicted the anxiety subscale. Death anxiety was elevated among females. Mindfulness may act as a buffer against death anxiety in emerging adults. Findings suggest that fostering specific mindfulness facets and integrating mindfulness-based practices into youth mental health initiatives and educational programs could enhance existential wellbeing and resilience in a culturally sensitive way.