Exploring Mindfulness-Stress Dynamics in Emerging Adulthood: A Correlational Study
Aneesh Joshi, Shubham Sherekar
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research October 21, 2026 DOI: 10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.90094 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quantitative correlational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Young adults in the developmental stage of emerging adulthood (typically 18–29 years) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness was significantly negatively associated with perceived stress: individuals with higher mindfulness tended to report lower perceived stress, consistent with the hypothesis. The authors contend that mindfulness may serve as an important psychological resource for coping with stress during emerging adulthood and that mindfulness-based interventions may hold value for promoting mental health and resilience in young adults. |
Abstract
Emerging adulthood is a developmental stage typically ranging from 18 to 29 years of age. It is characterized by significant changes in development, increase in responsibilities, and heightened exposure to stressors related to several factors like education, career, relationships, and identity formation. Effective management of stress during this period is important for maintaining psychological well-being. Mindfulness which is defined as the capacity to maintain non-judgmental awareness of present-moment experiences, has been increasingly recognized by researchers as a potential protective factor against stress. The present study is aimed to understand the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress among young adults. Quantitative correlational research design was employed as research method to examine the association between the variables. Sampling method used is that of convenience sampling. Standardized self-report measures of mindfulness and perceived stress were administered to measure the participants' levels of mindfulness and stress. Analysis of data was carried out using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including correlation analysis. The hypothesis was that mindfulness would be negatively associated with perceived stress. The study findings showed a significant negative relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress, indicating that individuals with higher levels of mindfulness tended to report lower levels of perceived stress. These results also support existing literature suggesting that mindfulness could serve as one of the important psychological resources for coping with stress during the developmental period of emerging adulthood. The study also shows the significance of the potential value of mindfulness-based interventions in not only promoting mental health but also enhancing resilience among young adults. Further investigations can focus on causal mechanisms and explore the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs across diverse populations of emerging adults.