Addressing Psychological Distress in College Students Through Mindfulness Training: A Pre-Post Intervention Across Three Cohorts with Different Delivery Methods.
Rebecca Ciacchini, Silvia Villani, Mario Miniati, Graziella Orrù, Angelo Gemignani, Ciro Conversano
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health June 27, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22071027 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Non-randomized controlled study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 194 |
| Population | Psychology students in Italy |
| Intervention | Mindfulness Laboratory (MLAB) |
| Duration | Three academic years |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mbi Distress Mental health Online meditation Psychological well-being University students |
| Key points | The MLAB mindfulness program led to significant improvements in mindfulness, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, with a smaller increase in resilience, and no differences across online, hybrid, or in-person formats. |
Abstract
College students are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, often triggered by academic pressure, developmental challenges, and events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the effectiveness and feasibility of a structured mindfulness-based program-Mindfulness Laboratory (MLAB)-delivered over three academic years to psychology students in Italy through online, hybrid, and in-person formats. A total of 194 students participated, with 176 completing pre- and post-intervention assessments. Standardized self-report measures evaluated mindfulness (FFMQ, MAAS), perceived stress (PSS), resilience (RS-14), sleep quality (PSQI), depressive symptoms (BDI-II), anxiety (STAI-Y1, STAI-Y2), and self-compassion (SCS). A non-randomized control group of 51 students who did not undergo the intervention was also included. The results showed significant improvements in mindfulness, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, with a smaller but significant increase in resilience. Sleep quality remained stable, while self-compassion levels slightly declined. Surprisingly, no significant differences were found across the three delivery formats, suggesting comparable effectiveness regardless of modality. These results support the feasibility and benefits of mindfulness-based interventions for university students. Further controlled studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm upon these findings.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 16
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences December 21, 2018
- Women Benefit More Than Men in Response to College-based Meditation Training. Frontiers in Psychology 2017
and 11 more in the library