Mindfulness and Psychological Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion among Indonesian Undergraduate Students
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Abstract
Psychological well-being is a fundamental component of positive mental health and is particularly important for university students who frequently encounter academic, social, and developmental challenges. Although mindfulness has been consistently associated with psychological well-being, the psychological processes underlying this relationship require further investigation. This study examined the relationship between mindfulness and psychological well-being and investigated the mediating role of self-compassion among undergraduate students in Indonesia. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, involving 317 undergraduate students recruited using convenience sampling. Participants completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form (SCS-SF), and Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB-18). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated that mindfulness was positively associated with self-compassion and psychological well-being, while self-compassion was positively associated with psychological well-being. Furthermore, self-compassion partially mediated the association between mindfulness and psychological well-being within the tested model. These findings highlight self-compassion as a potentially important psychological factor associated with the relationship between mindfulness and psychological well-being. These findings may inform the development of university mental health programs that incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion approaches to support students’ psychological well-being.
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