THE MEDIATION ROLE OF SELF-ESTEEM IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MINDFULNESS AND TRAIT ANXIETY IN EARLY ADOLESCENCE

This study aims to investigate the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between mindfulness and trait anxiety during early adolescence. The research sample was selected using a convenient sampling method and comprised students attending 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in a private secondary school in Izmir during the 2020-2021 academic year. A total of 344 adolescents (221 girls, 123 boys) participated in the study. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, Mindfulness Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAMM), State and Trait Anxiety Scale for Children, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Process Tool Analysis Model 4 were employed to analyze the data. The bootstrapping process was applied to determine the confidence interval of the analysis, and the results were found to be statistically significant. Consequently, a significant relationship was observed between mindfulness, trait anxiety, and self-esteem in early adolescence. The role of self-esteem as a mediator in the relationship between mindfulness and trait anxiety was assessed, and it was found that self-esteem plays a partial mediating role in this relationship. The findings and implications are discussed in the context of existing literature, and suggestions for future research and applications are presented.