Structural Model of Adolescent Happiness Based on the Five Facets of Mindfulness: The Mediating Roles of Emotion Regulation, Resilience, and Social Support

Mojdeh Asgharigivehchi; Afsane Sadat Arshiha

Authors

Mojdeh Asgharigivehchi Department of Clinical Psychology, Ki.C., Islamic Azad University, Kish, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2305-6031
Afsane Sadat Arshiha Department of Psychology, ST.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2648-3544

Keywords:

adolescence, happiness, mindfulness, emotion regulation, resilience, perceived social support

Abstract

This study aimed to test a structural model of adolescent happiness based on the five facets of mindfulness and to examine the simultaneous mediating roles of adaptive emotion regulation, resilience, and perceived social support. A cross-sectional correlational design using structural equation modeling was employed. Participants were 604 adolescents aged 15–18 years enrolled in Grades 10–12 in public high schools in Tehran, Iran, who were selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire–Short Form, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Pearson correlations and an observed-variable structural equation model were used to examine direct and indirect associations. Indirect effects were evaluated using 2,000 bias-corrected bootstrap resamples. The hypothesized model demonstrated excellent fit, χ²(3) = 3.94, p = .269, CFI = .999, TLI = .993, RMSEA = .023, and SRMR = .009, and explained 55.5% of the variance in happiness. Resilience (β = .327, p < .001), perceived social support (β = .244, p < .001), and adaptive emotion regulation (β = .243, p < .001) independently predicted happiness. Non-reactivity was the strongest predictor of emotion regulation (β = .318), resilience (β = .291), and social support (β = .268), all p < .001, and showed the largest total indirect effect on happiness (β = .238, 95% CI [.193, .285]). Non-judging, Acting with Awareness, and Describing also showed significant indirect effects through all three mediators. Observing showed a significant total indirect effect primarily through resilience. After the mediators were included, only Acting with Awareness retained a significant direct effect on happiness (β = .108, p = .001). Adolescent happiness appears to be associated with distinct mindfulness facets through multiple psychological and interpersonal pathways, particularly resilience, adaptive emotion regulation, and perceived social support, with Non-reactivity emerging as the most influential indirect predictor.

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