The effects of trait mindfulness on Chinese EFL learners’ public speaking anxiety
Liping Fu
Discover Education September 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s44217-026-02189-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 492 |
| Population | non-English major undergraduates learning English as a foreign language at three universities in China |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Trait mindfulness was negatively correlated with public speaking anxiety among EFL undergraduates, and psychological capital partially mediated this relationship, suggesting mindfulness's link to lower PSA partly works through greater PsyCap. The authors present this as insight into PSA management and offer tentative recommendations for foreign language education. |
Abstract
While foreign language anxiety (FLA) is prevalent and has received wide attention for decades, the anxiety regarding the specific skill of public speaking has been less-explored. This study explored the correlations among the variables of trait mindfulness, psychological capital (PsyCap), and public speaking anxiety (PSA) among undergraduates who learned English as a foreign language (EFL) in China. A cross-sectional survey was administered to non-English major students in three universities, and 492 valid questionnaires were gathered. Partial least structural equation modeling was utilized for data analysis. The results showed that trait mindfulness was negatively correlated with PSA, and that PsyCap served as a partial mediator bridging the beneficial effect of trait mindfulness on PSA. The findings of this study provide insight into the mechanism of PSA management, and some tentative recommendations were offered for foreign language education.
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
Cites 8
- 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 and foreign language learners’ self-perceived proficiency: the mediating roles of anxiety and burnout Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development January 24, 2023
- The Mindful Way From Information to Knowledge, to Wisdom, and to Life: Perspectives on Mindfulness (-Based Cognitive Therapy) for Higher Education. Mindfulness 2025
- Calm the Mind, Unlock the Voice: A Bayesian Longitudinal Analysis of Mindfulness and EFL Speaking Anxiety International Journal of Applied Linguistics June 26, 2025
and 3 more in the library