Father absence is a pervasive issue with profound implications for the psychological well-being of individuals. It is associated with various adverse outcomes, including increased perceived stress, which can lead to a host of mental and physical health problems. Despite the well-documented effects of father absence, there is a critical need to understand the underlying mechanisms that mediate this relationship. This research highlights the importance of mindfulness and emotional factors in this dynamic from the perspective of the mindfulness reperceiving model. We conducted this exploration among 408 young adults. Results suggested that mindfulness and positive affect were associated with the relationship between father absence and perceived stress. The model also indicated that father absence was related to perceived stress through the potential chain mediating pathway of 'mindfulness-negative affect'. Individuals experiencing father absence may perceive more stress, potentially due to lower levels of positive affect and reduced mindfulness. Moreover, it highlights a possible pathway where father absence is linked to increased stress through a combination of reduced mindfulness and heightened negative affect. Understanding the mechanisms through which father absence influences perceived stress is crucial for developing effective interventions. The study offers valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies that can alleviate stress in individuals affected by father absence.