Mindfulness as a Predictor of Happiness: The Mediating Role of Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

Objectives: The major aim of this research is to explore whether mindfulness can predict happiness. It also looks forward to investigate the role of psychological well-being as a mediator in the relationship between mindfulness and happiness.

Method: 180 undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18–25 years were recruited for the research from various districts of Haryana (India). Self-report measures including ‘MAAS, Psychological Well-Being Scale, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaires’ were used to collect the data from the sample. The obtained data was statistically analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation, and regression analysis in SPSS and PROCESS macro software.

Results: The results of the study indicated an inter-correlation among mindfulness, psychological well-being, and happiness (all are significant at p<.01). The results also depicted mindfulness as a predictor of psychological well-being (β=.484, p<.001) as well as happiness (β=.242, p<.05), and psychological well-being as a predictor of happiness (β=.963, p<.001). Psychological well-being emerged as a partial mediator in the relationship between mindfulness and happiness with an effect size (β) of .466 (CI=.310-.653)

Conclusion: Practicing mindfulness helps college students enhance their level of happiness, but along the route of psychological well-being, happiness can be boosted even more.