Second-generation mindfulness-based interventions (SG-MBIs) for university students: a scoping review
medRxiv October 22, 2025 Matthew A Aldridge, Nanda Cara, Alan Simpson et al. preprint
Second-generation mindfulness-based interventions (SG-MBIs) extend typical mindfulness programs by grounding them in Buddhist epistemology and pedagogy. A scoping review of 16 publications describing 11 unique SG-MBIs, involving 649 university students, found these interventions safe and potentially effective for holistic health promotion. Most studies were in high-income settings with homogeneous samples, narrow psychological outcome focus, and expert-led models. No studies integrated traditional healing systems or assessed physical, social, or spiritual well-being, and tailoring was absent. The Buddhist grounding suggests relevance for culturally congruent interventions in Buddhist-majority low- and middle-income countries, where future research should prioritize collaboration with local specialists.