Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
“The Effect of Optimism and Mindfulness
on Depressive Symptoms in Women”
Zoë Huijbers i6338968
Tutorial group: 01
Tutor: Lisa Goller
Keywords: optimism, mindfulness, depression, women, mental health care
Wordcount: 2.144
, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
Abstract
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide (Ferrari et al., 2013).
Identifying protective psychological traits may help reduce depressive symptoms and prevent
relapse. This study investigated whether optimism and mindfulness are negatively associated
with depressive symptoms in women aged 18–35, and whether optimism mediates the
relationship between mindfulness and depressive symptoms. A total of 136 women
completed validated self-report questionnaires measuring mindfulness (MAAS), optimism
(LOT-R), and depressive symptoms (BDI-II). Pearson’s correlations revealed that both
mindfulness (r = -0.28, p < .001) and optimism (r = -0.45, p < .001) were significantly and
negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, mindfulness was positively
correlated with optimism (r = 0.21, p = .015). Independent samples t-tests showed that
participants with higher mindfulness reported significantly greater optimism, and those with
fewer depressive symptoms were also more optimistic. These findings support the
hypothesis that both optimism and mindfulness are linked to lower depressive symptoms,
and suggest that optimism may partially mediate the relationship between mindfulness and
depression. Understanding the role of these psychological traits may offer new insights into
early intervention and relapse prevention in mental health care for women.
2
“The Effect of Optimism and Mindfulness
on Depressive Symptoms in Women”
Zoë Huijbers i6338968
Tutorial group: 01
Tutor: Lisa Goller
Keywords: optimism, mindfulness, depression, women, mental health care
Wordcount: 2.144
, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
Abstract
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide (Ferrari et al., 2013).
Identifying protective psychological traits may help reduce depressive symptoms and prevent
relapse. This study investigated whether optimism and mindfulness are negatively associated
with depressive symptoms in women aged 18–35, and whether optimism mediates the
relationship between mindfulness and depressive symptoms. A total of 136 women
completed validated self-report questionnaires measuring mindfulness (MAAS), optimism
(LOT-R), and depressive symptoms (BDI-II). Pearson’s correlations revealed that both
mindfulness (r = -0.28, p < .001) and optimism (r = -0.45, p < .001) were significantly and
negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, mindfulness was positively
correlated with optimism (r = 0.21, p = .015). Independent samples t-tests showed that
participants with higher mindfulness reported significantly greater optimism, and those with
fewer depressive symptoms were also more optimistic. These findings support the
hypothesis that both optimism and mindfulness are linked to lower depressive symptoms,
and suggest that optimism may partially mediate the relationship between mindfulness and
depression. Understanding the role of these psychological traits may offer new insights into
early intervention and relapse prevention in mental health care for women.
2
