The indirect effect of trait mindfulness on life satisfaction through self-esteem and perceived stress

Mindfulness has been consistently linked with greater life satisfaction, but it is unclear what accounts for this association. Potentially, mindfulness may promote greater self-esteem and reduce stress, which may cultivate positive attitudes toward one's life. Across a series of three studies, we investigated the extent to which self-esteem and perceived stress uniquely accounted for the relation between mindfulness and life satisfaction. In Studies 1 and 2 (Ns = 278 and 260, respectively), both self-esteem and perceived stress statistically accounted for the positive relation between mindfulness and life satisfaction in U.S. college student samples. In Study 3 (N = 419), the model was replicated in a more diverse, non-college student sample. These findings provide support for the generalizability of the robust associations among mindfulness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived stress. Furthermore, self-esteem and perceived stress may represent two potential pathways through which mindfulness enhances evaluations of one’s life.