The mediating role of boredom proneness and the moderating role of meaning in life in the relationship between mindfulness and depressive symptoms

Abstract

A growing body of research has demonstrated that mindfulness can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms. However, few studies to date have investigated how mindfulness links to depressive symptoms from the perspective of attention. Moreover, it remains unknown under what conditions mindfulness links to depressive symptoms. To fill in these gaps, this study examined boredom proneness as a possible mediator and meaning in life as a possible moderator of the link between mindfulness and depressive symptoms. A sample of 746 college students (Mage = 19.23; SDage = 1.06) in China completed the self-report questionnaires of mindfulness, boredom proneness, depression, and meaning in life. Results of mediation analysis showed that boredom proneness partially mediated the association between mindfulness and depressive symptoms. Moderated mediation analyses further revealed that the indirect effect of mindfulness on depressive symptoms via boredom proneness was moderated by presence of meaning and search for meaning (two components of meaning in life), respectively, with the indirect effect being stronger for individuals with lower levels of presence of meaning/search for meaning. These findings broaden our understanding of the psychological processes that underlie the association between mindfulness and depressive symptoms, and offer practical guidance on relieving depressive symptoms. Limitations and implications of these findings are discussed.