Does Emotional Intelligence Mediate the Relation Between Mindfulness and Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents?
Brigid Foster, Justine Lomas, Luke A. Downey, Con Stough
Frontiers in Psychology December 12, 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02463 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 108 |
| Population | Australian adolescents aged 13-15 years from a public secondary school (51 males, 57 females) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescents Emotional intelligence Ei |
| Key findings | Emotional Recognition and Expression mediated the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety, while Emotional Recognition and Expression and Emotional Management and Control mediated the relationship between mindfulness and depression. The authors argue emotional intelligence may be one mechanism by which mindfulness confers benefits on wellbeing in adolescents. |
Abstract
High anxiety and depression are often observed in the Australian adolescent population, and if left untreated, can have long-term negative consequences impacting educational attainment and a range of important life outcomes. The utilization of mindfulness techniques has been associated with decreased anxiety and depression, but the underlying mechanisms for this is only beginning to be understood. Previous research with adult samples has suggested that the development of emotional intelligence (EI) may be one mechanism by which mindfulness confers its benefits on wellbeing. This study is the first to examine the relation between mindfulness, EI, anxiety, and depression in an adolescent population. It was hypothesized that EI would mediate the relationships between mindfulness and anxiety, as well as mindfulness and depression. The sample consisted of 108 adolescents from a public secondary school, aged between 13 and 15 years (M age = 13.68, SD age = 0.56, 51 males and 57 females). Participants completed an online self-report questionnaire which measured dispositional mindfulness, EI, anxiety, and depression. The results indicated that one subscale of EI - Emotional Recognition and Expression (ERE) mediated the relation between mindfulness and anxiety, while two subscales of EI - ERE and Emotional Management and Control (EMC) mediated the relation between mindfulness and depression. Future research utilizing a mindfulness intervention should be conducted to examine whether the use of mindfulness increases EI and decreases anxiety and depression in adolescents.
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 4
- A longitudinal mixed-methods examination of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and burnout among Chinese educators. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Exploring the Effects of Mindfulness on Adolescent Depression-Findings from a Longitudinal Study. Healthcare April 15, 2025
- The predictive values of state and trait mindfulness on emotion understanding in primary school children Frontiers in Psychology July 10, 2026
- Impact of Developmental Stage on Responses to a School-Based Mindfulness Intervention Mindfulness February 26, 2026
Cites 22
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- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
and 17 more in the library