The Mediating Role of Trait Mindfulness in Academic Stress: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Italian University Students

• Published in: Psychological reports 2024-12, p.332941241306657
• Main Authors: Ocera, Alessandro, Colombo, Sofia, de Paz-Cantos, Sonia, Frisiello, Antonella, Gilotta, Silvia, Grazioli, Silvia, Michelini, Giovanni, Roella, Antonella, Gregori Grgič, Regina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1558-691X; 1558-691X
• DOI: 10.1177/00332941241306657

Stress is a significant factor influencing the mental well-being of students, and mindfulness strategies have been associated with reduced academic stress. Nevertheless, there is a limited body of research investigating stress and trait mindfulness in a sample of Italian university students. This study aims to explore the relationship between academic stress, effort-reward imbalance, and trait mindfulness. Perceived stress, effort-reward imbalance, and trait mindfulness in 442 Italian university students (mean age = 23.37 ± 4.33) were assessed through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Effort-Reward Imbalance - Student Questionnaire (ERI-SQ) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Pearson correlation analysis showed that PSS negatively correlates with FFMQ and it positively correlates with ERI-SQ, while FFMQ negatively correlates with ERI-SQ. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that FFMQ partially mediates the effect of ERI-SQ on PSS. This study provides the first examination of the relationships between perceived stress, effort-reward imbalance, and trait mindfulness among Italian students. The findings suggest that trait mindfulness is associated with lower levels of perceived stress and could potentially mediate the relationship between effort-reward imbalance and stress. These insights may inform future research and interventions aimed at reducing academic stress.