Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students
Abstract Objective Mindfulness has been consistently linked to mental health benefits; however, the underlying mechanisms relating mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression remain underexplored. This study develops and empirically examines the Dual Pathways Mindfulness Model (DPMM), which posi...
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2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02895-7 |
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| author | Yunpeng Wu Liping Qin Xizheng Xu Yu Tian Zhe Jia |
| author_facet | Yunpeng Wu Liping Qin Xizheng Xu Yu Tian Zhe Jia |
| author_sort | Yunpeng Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Mindfulness has been consistently linked to mental health benefits; however, the underlying mechanisms relating mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression remain underexplored. This study develops and empirically examines the Dual Pathways Mindfulness Model (DPMM), which posits that mindfulness is associated with mental health through sequential mechanisms involving self-compassion and rumination among university students. Methods A cross-sectional survey involving 1,409 Chinese university students was conducted. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized sequential mediation model. Indirect effects were examined using bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals. Results Mindfulness was positively associated with life satisfaction (Effect = 0.080, p < 0.01) and negatively associated with depression (Effect = −0.180, p < 0.001). Self-compassion significantly mediated both associations, linking mindfulness to higher life satisfaction (Indirect effect = 0.057, 95% CI [0.05, 0.07]) and lower depression (Indirect effect = -0.033, 95% CI [−0.04, −0.03]). Rumination also served as a significant mediator for life satisfaction (Indirect effect = 0.067, 95% CI [0.02, 0.04]) and depression (Indirect effect = −0.064, 95% CI [ −0.07, −0.05]). Furthermore, a sequential mediation pathway was identified: higher mindfulness was associated with greater self-compassion, which was linked to lower rumination, ultimately associated with increased life satisfaction (Indirect effect = 0.020, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03]) and decreased depressive symptoms (Indirect effect = -0.039, 95% CI [−0.05, −0.03]). Conclusion This study proposes and validates the DPMM, a novel model explaining how mindfulness relates to mental health through interconnected self-regulatory processes. By identifying self-compassion and rumination as sequential mediators, the findings offer theoretical insights into the psychological mechanisms linking mindfulness to enhanced well-being. While the cross-sectional design precludes causal claims, the results provide a foundational framework to guide future longitudinal studies and inform mental health promotion strategies grounded in mechanism-based understanding. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-db42af24107046f9adc1ce4b59a5d5502025-08-20T02:00:10ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-05-0113111110.1186/s40359-025-02895-7Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university studentsYunpeng Wu0Liping Qin1Xizheng Xu2Yu Tian3Zhe Jia4School of Teacher Education, Dezhou UniversitySchool of Teacher Education, Dezhou UniversityDepartment of Management, Hunan Police AcademyDepartment of Marxism, Qingdao University of Science and TechnologyScientific Research Division, Qilu Medical UniversityAbstract Objective Mindfulness has been consistently linked to mental health benefits; however, the underlying mechanisms relating mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression remain underexplored. This study develops and empirically examines the Dual Pathways Mindfulness Model (DPMM), which posits that mindfulness is associated with mental health through sequential mechanisms involving self-compassion and rumination among university students. Methods A cross-sectional survey involving 1,409 Chinese university students was conducted. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized sequential mediation model. Indirect effects were examined using bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals. Results Mindfulness was positively associated with life satisfaction (Effect = 0.080, p < 0.01) and negatively associated with depression (Effect = −0.180, p < 0.001). Self-compassion significantly mediated both associations, linking mindfulness to higher life satisfaction (Indirect effect = 0.057, 95% CI [0.05, 0.07]) and lower depression (Indirect effect = -0.033, 95% CI [−0.04, −0.03]). Rumination also served as a significant mediator for life satisfaction (Indirect effect = 0.067, 95% CI [0.02, 0.04]) and depression (Indirect effect = −0.064, 95% CI [ −0.07, −0.05]). Furthermore, a sequential mediation pathway was identified: higher mindfulness was associated with greater self-compassion, which was linked to lower rumination, ultimately associated with increased life satisfaction (Indirect effect = 0.020, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03]) and decreased depressive symptoms (Indirect effect = -0.039, 95% CI [−0.05, −0.03]). Conclusion This study proposes and validates the DPMM, a novel model explaining how mindfulness relates to mental health through interconnected self-regulatory processes. By identifying self-compassion and rumination as sequential mediators, the findings offer theoretical insights into the psychological mechanisms linking mindfulness to enhanced well-being. While the cross-sectional design precludes causal claims, the results provide a foundational framework to guide future longitudinal studies and inform mental health promotion strategies grounded in mechanism-based understanding.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02895-7MindfulnessSelf-compassionRuminationLife satisfactionDepressionSequential mediation |
| spellingShingle | Yunpeng Wu Liping Qin Xizheng Xu Yu Tian Zhe Jia Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students BMC Psychology Mindfulness Self-compassion Rumination Life satisfaction Depression Sequential mediation |
| title | Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students |
| title_full | Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students |
| title_fullStr | Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students |
| title_short | Dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression: the mediating roles of self-compassion and rumination in Chinese university students |
| title_sort | dual pathways linking mindfulness to life satisfaction and depression the mediating roles of self compassion and rumination in chinese university students |
| topic | Mindfulness Self-compassion Rumination Life satisfaction Depression Sequential mediation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02895-7 |
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