Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Intervention on Depressive Symptoms in Emerging Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine January 1, 2022 Chuntana Reangsing, Christina Lauderman, J. Schneider
Mindfulness interventions moderately reduce depression in emerging adults aged 20-29. Across 45 studies with 3,479 participants, mindfulness practices led to a significant decrease in depressive symptoms compared to control conditions (g=0.44). Effects were larger in Asian countries, in studies with a higher proportion of female participants, and among those with diagnosed depressive disorders. Group-based mindfulness was more effective than individual sessions, and more minutes of unstructured practice per session also predicted greater improvement. No adverse effects were reported in the primary studies, so caution is warranted.