The Mediating Role of Negative Mood States and Body Responsiveness in the Associations of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion with Life Satisfaction

The goal of this study was to test the mediating role of body responsiveness (body awareness and body disconnection) and negative mood states (depression, anxiety, and stress) in the relationship of self-compassion and trait mindfulness to life satisfaction. A total of 792 participants (669 females, 123 males) participated in the study. The results yielded that mindfulness and self-compassion have significantly negative relationships with negative mood states and perceived disconnection, while they have a significantly positive relationship with the importance of interoceptive awareness. Self-compassion and importance of interoceptive awareness were found to be significantly and positively related to life satisfaction, while negative mood states had a significantly negative relationship with life satisfaction. The re-arranged model accounted for a 26% variance in life satisfaction scores of participants. These findings imply that cultivation of mindfulness and self-compassion may enhance body responsiveness and diminish the negative mood states that in turn promote life satisfaction.