Mindfulness, anxiety, and perceived stress in university students: Comparing a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) against active and traditional control conditions
Alissa Dark-Freudeman, Colby Jones, Christian Terry
Journal of American College Health January 5, 2021 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1845180 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Undergraduate students at a southeastern university |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | The mindfulness-based intervention significantly reduced perceived stress and anxiety and increased trait mindfulness compared to control conditions, but did not affect rumination. |
Abstract
Objectives: University students experience heightened levels of stress and are seeking mental health services with increasing frequency. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may be an effective resource for managing stress. The present study examined the effectiveness of an MBI in reducing stress, anxiety, and rumination compared to active and traditional control conditions.Methods Undergraduate students at a southeastern university participated in either a 4-week MBI, active control, or traditional control condition. Measures were collected pre- and post-intervention.
Results: Overall the MBI had a significant impact on perceived stress over and above both traditional and active control conditions. The MBI also had a significant impact on trait mindfulness and anxiety compared to the traditional control condition. No significant differences were observed for rumination.
Conclusions: The MBI significantly impacted trait mindfulness, perceived stress, and state anxiety. MBIs may be a useful approach to successfully alleviating stress in a highly stressed population.