Resilience mediates the cross-sectional relationship between mindfulness and positive mental health in early adolescence

Abstract Resilience has been conceptualised as a pathway through which mindfulness influences mental health. Despite a growing body of research evidence substantiating this claim, the empirical literature is devoid of support for this account in early adolescence. This study aimed to extend the evidence base by investigating resilience as a mediator in the putative cross-sectional relationship between mindfulness and positive mental health. One hundred twenty-nine elementary school students completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for Children, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale–10, and Adolescent Mental Health Continuum-Short Form. Correlational analyses revealed small-to-moderate, statistically significant relationships between the variables. Mediation analysis demonstrated a statistically significant indirect effect of mindfulness on positive mental health through resilience. The findings provide preliminary support for the aforementioned conceptual model and have implications for innovative research in mindfulness.