Mindfulness and Life Satisfaction: Parallel Mediation by Self-Control and Nature Connectedness Using SmartPLS-SEM

Although mindfulness has been consistently associated with life satisfaction, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain insufficiently explored. There is a lack of empirical research exploring the role of multiple mediators through which mindfulness may influence life satisfaction. This study makes a novel attempt by testing a parallel mediation model that integrates two theoretically distinct mediators, self-control and nature connectedness, to examine whether mindfulness enhances life satisfaction both directly and indirectly through these mediators. Data were collected from 566 participants using purposive sampling via the mall intercept method. PLS-SEM was conducted using SmartPLS, and the results show that mindfulness has a significant direct impact on life satisfaction (β = 0.256, p < .001). In addition, both self-control (β = 0.150, p < .001) and nature connectedness (β = 0.164, p < .001) significantly mediate the mindfulness-life satisfaction link. These findings reveal that mindfulness boosts life satisfaction not only through self-control but also through nature connectedness, emphasizing the value of mindfulness interventions that address both internal self-control and external connectedness with nature to foster comprehensive and sustainable well-being. Keywords: Mindfulness, life satisfaction, self-control, nature connectedness, parallel mediation