Children
February 28, 2017
Robin Ortiz, Erica Sibinga
137 citations
Children exposed to adverse experiences may suffer stress and trauma linked to poorer health in adulthood. Mindfulness interventions reduce depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms, and improve coping, mood, and quality of life in general and trauma-exposed adults. Studies in children and youth show mindfulness improves mental, behavioral, and physical outcomes. High-quality, structured mindfulness instruction may mitigate negative effects of childhood stress and trauma, improving short- and long-term outcomes and potentially reducing poor adult health. More research is needed to optimize youth mindfulness programs and study long-term outcomes into adulthood.
Children
June 30, 2026
Catarina Lopes, José Tiago Costa-Pereira, Isaura Tavares
A systematic review of 19 studies (9 randomized controlled trials and 10 non-randomized) found that mindfulness-based interventions may reduce stress in parents of children with ADHD. Most studies reported statistically significant stress reduction immediately after the intervention, often maintained at follow-up, though some studies showed mixed or no significant differences, and one non-randomized study reported worsening of stress. Stress-related outcomes such as quality of life and psychological well-being also improved. The authors conclude that mindfulness-based interventions may have a significant role in reducing parental stress, but call for longer follow-up and lower risk of bias in future research.
Children
December 22, 2022
Saral Desai, Vidisha Jain, Sona Xavier et al.
Among a nationally representative sample of 125,550 US adolescents surveyed between 2001 and 2019, 8.4% reported using hallucinogens. The prevalence of hallucinogen use decreased from 13.3% in 2001 to 7.0% in 2019. Adolescents who used hallucinogens had higher odds of feeling sad and hopeless, considering suicide, and planning suicide. They also showed a higher prevalence of using other substances, including alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and cocaine. The findings indicate an association between adolescent hallucinogen use and increased hopelessness, suicidality, and co-occurring substance use.
Children
April 22, 2021
Liliana Paulina Rojas-Torres, Yurena Alonso-Esteban, María Fernanda López-Ramón et al.
A brief 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction and self-compassion training program reduced stress and anxiety and increased mindful attention awareness in twelve parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Valencia, Spain. No significant changes were found in life satisfaction. The small number of participants prevents generalizing the results.
Children
December 15, 2017
Danielle Ruskin, Lauren Harris, Jennifer Stinson et al.
Adolescents with chronic pain who completed an eight-week mindfulness group (MBI-A) reported positive experiences, including peer support and skills such as present moment awareness, pain acceptance, and emotion regulation. Participants suggested increasing the number of sessions and clarifying that the program targets emotional suffering rather than physical pain reduction. Six themes emerged from focus groups: mindfulness skills, supportive environment, group exercises, empowerment, program expectations, and logistics.
Children
April 26, 2017
Lynn Waelde, Amanda Feinstein, Rashmi Bhandari et al.
A pilot clinical trial tested a six-week manualized mindfulness meditation intervention for 20 adolescents aged 13–17 with chronic pain. Pain intensity and depression did not change significantly, but functional disability and frequency of pain-related complaints improved with small effect sizes. Parents' worry about their child's pain decreased substantially, with a large effect size. Participants rated the intervention positively, and most suggested increasing the number of sessions. Three case examples illustrate effects and precautions. Mindfulness meditation appears feasible and acceptable for youth with chronic pain, but further research is needed to optimize the intervention and determine its efficacy.