Mindful awareness and resilience skills for adolescents (MARS-A): a mixed-methods study of a mindfulness-based intervention for a heterogeneous adolescent clinical population.

A mindfulness-based program called MARS-A, adapted for adolescents, was tested in a mixed group of teens with mental health and/or chronic physical conditions. Participants reported better coping with difficult emotions, sleep, and pain. Quantitative results showed reductions in functional disability, psychological distress, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms, along with increased positive affect. The program appears promising for reducing suffering across diverse adolescent clinical conditions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindful Awareness and Resilience Skills for Adolescents (MARS-A) is a mindfulness-based intervention adapted for the adolescent population. While previous studies have explored the benefits of MARS-A in various single-diagnosis populations, the aim of this study was to assess MARS-A for a heterogenous clinical adolescent population with mental health and/or chronic diagnoses, focusing on the underlying suffering present in all these conditions rather than its effects on a single diagnosis itself. Qualitative data was collected through interviews to understand post-intervention participant perspectives and experiences. Quantitative data was collected through measures to investigate preliminary secondary outcomes. After participating in MARS-A, participants reported qualitative benefits in enhanced well-being, including coping with difficult emotions and managing sleep and/or pain. Quantitative results showed a reduction in functional disability, psychological distress, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms; increase in positive affect; and benefit in coping with pain and chronic conditions. MARS-A shows great potential in a heterogeneous clinical adolescent population.