Honeysett, Asha (2015) Subjective Wellbeing and Depressive Symptoms: The Role of Mindfulness Skills. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Prevalence of depression is growing worldwide and it is estimated that by 2030 it will be the leading cause of disability in developed and developing countries (World Health Organisation, 2008). This highlights the need for advanced understanding of when depression is likely to occur, what mechanisms can help prevent the onset of depression, and what therapeutic interventions effectively treat depression once it has manifested. In order to understand what contributing factors lead to the onset of depression, empirical studies have investigated the relationship between subjective wellbeing and depression and consistently found a negative association. That is, when homeostatic mechanisms that maintain subjective wellbeing within a set-point range breakdown, it is suggested that it may have a causal role in the onset of depression (Cook & Cummins, 2004). If this is the case, efforts need to be made to better understand this relationship, as well as what other factors help explain and minimise this relationship. This current crosssectional study aimed to address these needs by (a) examining the relationship between subjective wellbeing, depression and mindfulness skills, and (b) examining whether mindfulness skills mediate the relationship between subjective wellbeing and depressive symptoms. Data were collected using an online survey. Participants were made up of university students and adults within the community (N = 500), and included 376 females and 112 males. Ages ranged from 18 to 66 years, with a mean of 31 years (SD = 11 years). This sample contained predominantly Australian and New Zealand Residents (N = 491). Results demonstrated that subjective wellbeing was significantly (p<.001) and negatively related to depressive symptoms, with a large effect size (r = .58; Cohen, 1988). Further, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with all SUBECTIVE WELLBEING, DEPRESSION AND MINDFULNESS iii KIMS subscales, excluding Observe, ranging from large to small effect sizes (r = -.57 to -.28; Cohen, 1988). Conversely, subjective wellbeing was found to be positively related to all KIMS subscales, excluding Observe, ranging from medium to small effect sizes (r = .44 to .23; Cohen, 1988). Finally, the current study demonstrated that all KIMS subscales, excluding Observe, mediated the relationship between subjective wellbeing and depressive symptoms. This study builds on previous research as these mediating relationships have not been previously investigated. Further, the results have clinical practice implications as they provide evidence regarding which mindfulness skills should be the focus of therapy when working with individuals who are experiencing a loss of subjective wellbeing and depressive symptoms.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | James Brown |
| Qualification: | Master of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Aug 2025 23:44 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Aug 2025 23:44 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52422 |
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