Research published in Journal of American college health : J of ACH

Comparative efficacy of neurofeedback and traditional mindfulness meditation on undergraduates' stress and mindfulness: A randomized controlled trial.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH May 7, 2026 Shiva Jahani, Steve Haberlin, William Carter et al.

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the comparative efficacy of two active mindfulness interventions, neurofeedback-assisted meditation and traditional guided meditation. A total of 137 undergraduates were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three, 8-week conditions: neurofeedback meditation (n = 51), traditional meditation (n = 46), or a passive control group (n = 40)....

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2026.2667451 Full text Digital mindfulness Neurofeedback Stress undergraduates

Mindfulness and stress among undergraduate students: Examining the mediation roles of self-as-context and cognitive defusion as decentering facets.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH July 23, 2025 Junfei Lu, Yi Chen, Dhikrullah Mudathir 3 citations

Objective: This study examines the mediating roles of two facets of decentering - self-as-context and cognitive defusion - in the relationship between mindfulness and stress among undergraduate students. Participants: 204 undergraduate students from a U.S. university participated in the study. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing self-report measures to assess mindfulness,...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2533918 Full text Mindfulness Decentering Cognitive defusion Self-as-context +1

The confidence to cope: Building well-being tools in a university mindfulness course.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH July 23, 2025 Linda Yaron Weston

Objective: This study explores the impact of a university for-credit mindfulness course on student well-being beliefs and behaviors, and the extent to which the course contributed to student self-efficacy in managing their well-being. Participants include university students who completed a 15-week Introduction to Mindfulness course during the years 2019-2024. Methods: Data were drawn from 522...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2530528 Full text Mindfulness Higher education Mental health Self-efficacy +1

Developing self-compassion and well-being with a hybrid mindfulness-based intervention: Lessons learned from health professions students, faculty and staff.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH June 25, 2025 Sophie R Kaufman, John Damiao, Esma D Paljevic et al. 1 citation

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine whether participation in a hybrid mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) is associated with lower level of perceived stress, and higher levels of self-compassion and well-being. Participants: Participants were 73 students (Physician Assistant, Nursing, and Occupational Therapy) and faculty/staff in a Northeastern university. Methods: This study...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2516604 Full text Mbsr Health profession students Mindfulness intervention mindfulness Program +11

Integrating mindfulness into the academic curriculum: A qualitative study.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH June 5, 2025 Emily Dunuwila, Elizabeth C Lockerby, Elizabeth R Mackenzie et al.

Objective: Most undergraduate students experience high stress levels, necessitating university support. Meditation-based programs can encourage student wellbeing. This research examined the feasibility of a for-credit undergraduate mindfulness course, its effectiveness in helping students develop a mindfulness practice, and its potential impact on healthy development. Participants: Twenty-nine...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2512961 Full text Contemplative education Koru mindfulness Miea Contemplative pedagogy +4

The mindful professor: the impacts of an innovative mindfulness training intervention for college faculty.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH May 22, 2025 Rebecca Block, Lisa Critchley, Annetta Snell et al. 3 citations

Objective: To examine the impact of a mindful leadership training program on faculty well-being, mindfulness, and their ability to support student mental health. Participants: Forty-one university faculty members participated in a wait-list control trial. Methods: Surveys assessing mindfulness, stress, self-compassion, support, and beliefs about student well-being were administered at baseline,...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2503835 Full text Mindfulness College mental health Mindful leadership Faculty training +5

Effectiveness of physical activity, mindfulness and mind-body therapies in improving mental health of university students: a systematic review of RCTS.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH April 22, 2025 Laura García-pérez, Maria Elena Atencia-Rodriguez, Mar Cepero-González et al. 8 citations

University students face mental health (MH) issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, highlighting the need for effective interventions to improve well-being and academic success. This review examined 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2000 to 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 2,325 students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions, participated in physical activity (PA)...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2492174 Full text Mindfulness Face-to-face interventions Mental health Mind-body therapies +2

Evaluation of curricular mindfulness micro-interventions to support college student resilience: a pilot study.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH March 28, 2025 Sarah Lee, Caroline Umeda, Gina Tucker-Roghi et al.

Objective: This study addressed two research questions: (1) What is the feasibility of embedding curricular resilience micro-interventions across campus at a small university? (2) How do students and faculty describe their experiences of participating in resilience micro-interventions? Participants: 12 faculty, 267 students. Methods: Mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design. Faculty were...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2479702 Full text Mindfulness Access and equity Curricular micro-interventions Implementation feasibility +2

The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH January 15, 2025 Steve Haberlin, Terrie Bradshaw 4 citations

Objective: Reviewed empirical studies involving meditation-related interventions for college and university students during the past decade. Methods: Based on inclusion criteria, 44 studies were selected for the review and categorized into three major areas: attention, academic performance, and mental health (stress/anxiety). Areas were systemically reviewed and synthesized. Results: Review...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2451974 Full text Mindfulness Intervention: meditation Mental health Stress

Meditation and guided imagery show reduction in chronic stress and increase in mental health-related quality of life for college students.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH January 13, 2025 Katherine J Stefanelli 2 citations

Objective: To explore the effects of guided imagery with progressive deep muscle relaxation (PDMR) and meditation programs on chronic stress perception and health related quality of life in college students. Participants: College students were recruited from a local private university in Northeast Pennsylvania. Participants were not concurrently enrolled in another weekly meditation class....

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2449426 Full text Meditation Guided imagery Mental health Progressive muscle relaxation

Exploring the impact of a mindfulness meditation class on college student stress levels and quality of life.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH November 2024 Mark W St Martin, Zeljka Vidic, Richard Oxhandler

Objective: This study explored the differences in perceptions of stress levels and quality of life amongst college students enrolled in mindfulness meditation classes and those enrolled in an introductory holistic health class. Participants: 236 undergraduate students at a mid-sized university completed coursework and surveys. Methods: One-credit mindfulness meditation classes and an...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2133962 Full text Meditation Academic mindfulness class College students Stress reduction

Improving physical and mental health of college students through Consciousness-Based Education.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH December 1, 2023 Marie Loiselle, Frederick Travis

Objective: This study examined whether studying in a Consciousness-Based Education institution influenced college students' mental and physical health. Participants and methods: Undergraduate college students (n = 321) completed the Duke Health Profile, assessing 11 areas of mental and physical health, both as entering freshmen (2008-2014) and at graduation. The archived data was analyzed from...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1984245 Full text Anxiety and depression Consciousness-based education Duke health profile Transcendental meditation +3

Sleep paralysis in college students.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH July 1, 2022 Grant Benham

Objective: We examined the prevalence of sleep paralysis (SP), its association with stress and sleep, and associated subjective experiences and beliefs. Participants: 1,115 college students from a large university in the southwestern United States. The sample was predominantly Hispanic (94%) and female (70%). Methods: Validated measures of life-events stress, self-perceived stress, sleep...

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1799807 Full text College Hispanic Sleep paralysis Stress

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