Mindfulness Abilities Are Associated with Anxiety Levels, Emotional Intelligence, and Perceived Self-Efficacy
Inés Martínez-Pérez, Almudena García-Rodríguez, Francisco Manuel Morales Rodríguez, José Manuel Pérez‐Mármol
Sustainability March 7, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/su15064729 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 205 |
| Population | Spanish university students |
| Measures | Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory-14, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24, General Self-Efficacy Scale |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Anxiety, emotional intelligence, and general perceived self-efficacy were related to mindfulness dimensions among Spanish university students, with the regression models differing between females and males. Females and males differed significantly in mindfulness self-control and acceptance and in state and trait anxiety. |
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between anxiety, emotional intelligence, perceived self-efficacy, and mindfulness abilities. A total of 205 Spanish university students were assessed for mindfulness (Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory-14), state-trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24), and general perceived self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale). The Student’s t-test was used to evaluate the possible differences between sexes for the study variables. Multiple regression analyses were conducted for each sex independently to evaluate the relationship between mindfulness and the other psychological variables, using mindfulness dimensions as a dependent variable. The results showed significant differences between females and males in mindfulness dimensions of self-control (p < 0.001) and acceptance (p = 0.012), and state (p = 0.005) and trait anxiety (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the models for the relationship between mindfulness dimensions (attention, self-control, acceptance, and self-perception) and the other variables differed between females and males. Our results suggest that anxiety, emotional intelligence, and general perceived self-efficacy may be related to mindfulness abilities among a sample of Spanish university students. These findings could inform the development of targeted intervention programs to improve these psycho-emotional abilities.
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 2
- Psychological trajectories following brief mindfulness training: a longitudinal comparison of active and passive controls Frontiers in Psychology August 26, 2026
- Effects of a culturally adapted mindfulness-based intervention on stress, psychological resilience and academic self-efficacy among nursing students in Somalia: A randomized controlled trial. Nurse Education in Practice June 3, 2026
Cites 6
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- The Effects of an Online Mindfulness Intervention on Perceived Stress, Depression and Anxiety in a Non-clinical Sample: A Randomised Waitlist Control Trial Mindfulness May 2, 2018
- Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness: Relation and Enhancement in the Classroom With Adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology 2018
and 1 more in the library