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The Contribution of Meaningfulness and Mindfulness to Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health: A Structural Equation Model

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio Crego

    (Pontifical University of Salamanca)

  • José Ramón Yela

    (Pontifical University of Salamanca)

  • María Ángeles Gómez-Martínez

    (Pontifical University of Salamanca)

  • Ahmed A. Karim

    (University of Tübingen
    SRH Mobile University
    Jacobs University)

Abstract

Experiencing meaning in life and practicing mindfulness in daily life are desirable features of a healthy and satisfactory life. However, the relationships among meaningfulness, mindfulness, psychological well-being and mental health outcomes remains elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and meaning in life and to analyse how these variables are connected with life satisfaction, happiness, mental health and affect scores, regarded as outcome variables, after controlling for the effects of socio-demographic variables and religious attitudes. The data from a questionnaire survey (N = 1628), including measures of the presence of meaning in life, dispositional mindfulness, life satisfaction, happiness, mental health and affect, were analysed using correlation analyses, multiple regression analyses and structural equation modelling. Mindfulness and meaningfulness were significantly associated with one another. A structural equation model revealed that compared to mindfulness, meaningfulness was more strongly associated with positive well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, happiness and positive affect). Mindfulness, however, had a stronger relationship with negative well-being (i.e., negative affect and mental health issues). Moreover, meaningfulness was found to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and both positive and negative well-being. These findings provide new insights for psychological interventions promoting well-being and enhancing mental health through mindfulness- and meaningfulness-based approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Crego & José Ramón Yela & María Ángeles Gómez-Martínez & Ahmed A. Karim, 2020. "The Contribution of Meaningfulness and Mindfulness to Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health: A Structural Equation Model," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(8), pages 2827-2850, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00201-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00201-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cristián Coo & Marisa Salanova, 2018. "Mindfulness Can Make You Happy-and-Productive: A Mindfulness Controlled Trial and Its Effects on Happiness, Work Engagement and Performance," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 1691-1711, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Edward C. Chang, 2024. "Beyond Dispositional Optimism and Pessimism: Does the Tripartite Model of Meaning in Life Matter in Predicting Future Well-Being in Adults?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Antonio Crego & José Ramón Yela & María Ángeles Gómez-Martínez & Pablo Riesco-Matías & Cristina Petisco-Rodríguez, 2021. "Relationships between Mindfulness, Purpose in Life, Happiness, Anxiety, and Depression: Testing a Mediation Model in a Sample of Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Antonio Crego & José Ramón Yela & Rita Ozores-Pérez & Pablo Riesco-Matías & María Ángeles Gómez-Martínez, 2022. "Eudaimonic and Uncertainty Metaphors About Life are Associated with Meaningfulness, Experiential Avoidance, Mental Health and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 4119-4146, December.
    4. Miriam Chasson & Ofir Ben-Yaakov & Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari, 2021. "Meaning in Life among New Mothers before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Mothers’ Marital Satisfaction and Perception of the Infant," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(8), pages 3499-3512, December.

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