Mindfulness and alcohol problems in college students: the mediating effects of stress.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between mindfulness and alcohol problems in college students, as well as the role of stress as a mediator in this relationship.


METHODS
Participants were 310 students from a small, private college in the Northeast.


METHODS
Students completed self-report measures, including the Perceived Stress Scale, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Rutgers Alcohol Problems Index.


RESULTS
Mindfulness was negatively correlated with alcohol problems and stress, whereas stress positively correlated with alcohol problems. Results implicated stress as fully mediating the relationship between mindfulness and alcohol problems. Alcohol problems were negatively correlated with the Acting With Awareness and Describing Experience facets of mindfulness.


CONCLUSIONS
Mindfulness-based stress reduction or other mindfulness programs may be useful in decreasing alcohol problems on college campuses via the effects on stress.
Department of Psychology, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456, USA. bodenlos@hws.edu
Jamie S
JS
Bodenlos
Marleah
M
Noonan
Stephanie Y
SY
Wells
D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D064866:Mindfulness; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult