Examining the relative contribution of mindfulness and adaptability on mental health and psychological wellbeing in undergraduate students

Amid growing concerns surrounding student mental health, this study explores how mindfulness and adaptability each influence mental health and wellbeing. While both involve self-regulatory processes and are known to have positive effects, their potential overlap in their contribution to mental health and wellbeing remains less understood. In the present study, a sample of 112 undergraduate students (Female=83%) were assessed for their mindfulness and adaptability as well as their psychological distress, life satisfaction, and flourishing. While mindfulness and adaptability were significantly associated with each other and with mental health and wellbeing outcomes, as expected, mindfulness was the only independent predictor of psychological distress and life satisfaction, whereas adaptability was the only independent predictor of flourishing. These findings provide novel insights into the distinct predictive roles of mindfulness and adaptability, underscoring the importance of addressing the unique dimensions of wellbeing and integrating mindfulness and adaptability interventions into the curriculum.