The mediating role of mindfulness level on relationship between perceived stress and sleep problems

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationships among perceived stress, mindfulness level, and sleep problems, and to indicate the mediating role of mindfulness level in the relationship between perceived stress and sleep problems. Methods For 179 undergraduate students, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Chinese Perceived Stress Scales (CPSS) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were used to measure. Results The scores of the scales were (120.43±11.23) for FFMQ, (40.17±6.86) for CPSS and (5.28±4.04) for AIS.Pearson correlation analysis showed that perceived stress was negatively correlated to mindfulness level (r=-0.602, P=0.000) and positively correlated to sleep problems (r=0.459, P=0.000) and that there was significant negative correlation between mindfulness level and sleep problems (r=-0.427, P=0.000). Hierarchical linear modeling showed significant partial mediation of mindfulness level on the association between perceived stress and sleep problems. Conclusion Mindfulness level partly mediated the positive link between perceived stress and sleep problems. Key words: Perceived stress; Mindfulness level; Sleep problems; Mediating effects.