The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Programs for Mental Health Outcomes in Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Mindfulness June 22, 2026 Rose Seneviratne, Valerie Brandt, Matthew Garner et al.
Mindfulness-based programs improve mental health and mindfulness in young adults aged 18–30. A meta-analysis of 132 randomized controlled trials with 6,883 participants in intervention groups and 6,910 controls found significant improvements in anxiety, depression, stress, distress, positive affect, negative affect, and mindfulness facets, with effect sizes greater than 0.29. The most reliable improvements were in monitoring-focused mindfulness facets. Certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to low due to risk of bias and likely publication bias. Multimodal programs, MBCT, MBSR, and their derivations were effective. Intervention and study characteristics explained 6–15% of heterogeneity.