The Mediating Model of Mindfulness in the Association between Loneliness and Psychological Well-Being: A Moderated Mediation Approach

Given the effect of psychological well-being on mental and physical health and the destructive effect of loneliness on psychological well-being, this study investigated the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between loneliness and psychological well-being. Also, this study investigated whether gender is a moderator in the association between mindfulness and psychological well-being. In addition to demographic information_ age and gender, an eligible sample of 412 adults completed three questionnaires, including the Loneliness Scale, Psychological Well-Being (PWB-18), and the Mindfulness Scale (MAAS). Sampling was conducted online on the Internet. This survey has been analyzed with moderated regression analysis. The model explained about 48% variance in psychological well-being. All direct effects _the effect of loneliness on psychological well-being, loneliness on mindfulness, and mindfulness on psychological well-being_ were statistically significant. Also, the indirect effect of loneliness on psychological well-being through activation of mindfulness was significant. In other words, mindfulness can mediate the effect of loneliness on psychological well-being. On the other hand, loneliness might decrease psychological well-being by decreasing mindfulness. The results confirmed the moderating role of gender in the effect of mindfulness on psychological well-being so that the effect of mindfulness on psychological well-being intensifies among women. The findings of this study can be used to create a solution to reduce the destructive effects of loneliness on psychological well-being.