Author(s)

Jingyi Chen

Corresponding Author

Jingyi Chen

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the mechanism of mindfulness in improving stress, depression and anxiety, and to explore the chain mediating effect of self-control and mind wandering. In this study, 223 participants were recruited by online questionnaire on June 19, 2023, and filled in the Mind Wandering Questionnaire, Five Factor Mindfulness Scale, self-control scale and Anxiety, Depression and Stress Scale. After screening, 136 valid questionnaires were collected. The results showed that the total score of mindfulness was significantly positively correlated with self-control (r = 0.523, p < 0.01), mental wandering was significantly positively correlated with anxiety, depression and stress (ps < 0.01), and self-control was significantly negatively correlated with mental wandering, anxiety, depression and stress (ps < 0.01). Self-control and mind wandering play a chain mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and stress, depression and anxiety. Individuals with higher levels of mindfulness had lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Mind wandering is an important mechanism by which mindfulness influences stress, depression and anxiety.

Keywords

mindfulness, self-control, mind wandering, depression, stress, anxiety