Model of Mindfulness and Mental Health Outcomes: Need Fulfillment and Resilience as Mediators

The current study is the first to concurrently investigate psychological need satisfaction (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and resilience as mediators in the relationship between mindfulness and mental health outcomes. In particular, the 2 mental health outcomes were self reported positive affect (happiness) and negative affect (depression-anxiety). We recruited a convenience sample of 328 military college cadets to participate in the present study (259 men, 56 women, and 2 "other") with ages ranging from 17 to 36 years (M-age = 20.43 years, SD = 3.46). Results showed that both mediators were significant for each mental health outcome, but psychological need satisfaction emerged as the stronger mediator. For positive affect, the fully mediated model was chosen as the 1 that best represented the data. For negative affect, the partially mediated model was retained. Overall, this study highlights the potential benefits of teaching mindfulness to future military officers, for improving their resilience, increasing perceptions that their basic needs are fulfilled, and leading to optimal development and well-being.