Pediatrics
December 19, 2015
Erica Sibinga, Lindsey Webb, Sharon R. Ghazarian et al.
233 citations
A school-based mindfulness program reduced symptoms of stress and trauma among low-income, minority middle school students. Students who received adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) reported lower levels of somatization, depression, negative affect, negative coping, rumination, self-hostility, and posttraumatic symptom severity compared to those in a health education program. The study included 300 fifth- to eighth-grade students (mean age 12.0 years) from Baltimore City Public Schools, most of whom were African American and eligible for free lunch. The findings suggest mindfulness instruction can improve psychological functioning in vulnerable urban youth.
AIDS Care
October 25, 2017
Lindsey Webb, Carisa Perry‐Parrish, Jonathan M. Ellen et al.
69 citations
A mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, compared to an active control, improved psychological and HIV-disease outcomes in HIV-infected adolescents. At three-month follow-up, MBSR participants reported higher mindfulness, problem-solving coping, and life satisfaction, and lower aggression. At post-program, they showed higher cognitive accuracy when faced with negative emotion stimuli. Those in the MBSR group were also more likely to have or maintain reductions in HIV viral load at three-month follow-up, suggesting improved HIV disease control, possibly due to better medication adherence. The findings indicate MBSR instruction is beneficial for psychological and HIV-disease outcomes in this population.
Adolescent Health Medicine and Therapeutics
September 1, 2016
Erica Sibinga, Nikeea Copeland‐Linder, Lindsey Webb et al.
61 citations
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), introduced in 1995 for recurrent depression, uses meditation to help individuals regulate attention, thereby managing psychological symptoms such as emotional responses to stress, anxiety, and depression. Studies show that mindfulness approaches reduce negative emotional reactions stemming from psychiatric difficulties and stressors in children, adolescents, and parents. Mindfulness may be especially helpful for youth who ruminate. Clinical experience with MBCT is increasingly supported by empirical studies for treating challenging symptoms in youth. This paper describes MBCT, its mindfulness practices, theoretical mechanisms, and reviews studies in adolescents.
May 1, 2018
Erica Sibinga, Lindsey Webb, Jonathan M. Ellen
Male urban youth in public schools who received school-based mindfulness instruction showed improved self-regulation compared to those who did not. The instruction aimed to reduce the negative effects of stress and trauma from community violence, failing schools, and limited educational opportunities. The findings suggest that mindfulness training can support self-regulation in this population.
Using Mindfulness to Promote Mental Health in Schools
December 2, 2025
Lindsey Webb, Erica M S Sibinga
This chapter reviews mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs adapted for youth, particularly in school settings. It outlines the mechanisms behind MBSR's beneficial effects on mental health and describes best practices for implementation. The authors discuss how MBSR has been modified to meet students' needs and review relevant research and programs. The chapter concludes by addressing logistical and cultural factors professionals should consider when introducing MBSR in schools.