Meditation and happiness: Mindfulness and self-compassion may mediate the meditation-happiness relationship

Mindfulness and self-compassion are emerging as crucial constructs in mental health research. Recent studies have shown that both mindfulness and self-compassion skills may play important roles in well-being and positive emotions associated with mindfulness training. Studies are needed to explain this relationship and to determine what facets may be correlating and mediating the meditation-happiness relationship. The aim of this study was to explore the meditation-happiness relationship and examine which mindfulness and self compassion facets are better predictors of happiness. A total of 365 participants completed an assessment protocol composed of: the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Self-Compassion Scale-short form (SCS-SF), and the Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that two FFMQ facets (Observing and Awareness) and two SCS components (Self-kindness and Common humanity) were significant predictors of happiness. Mediation results revealed a significant total indirect effect of Observing, Awareness, Self-kindness and Common humanity in the meditation frequency-happiness relationship. Significant indirect effects were found for observing, self-kindness and common humanity, The results supported the model of mindfulness and self-compassion facets as partial mediators of the meditation-happiness relationship. Findings are in line with other studies and provide evidence about the influence of mindfulness and self-compassion on happiness. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.