The efficacy of mindfulness based interventions in mitigating stress and fostering enhanced mindfulness among higher education students.
Sonali Bindhani, Ramanjaneyulu Sanjeevagani, Geetha Gopinath, A S Jalandharachari
The Journal of general psychology June 25, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2026.2687382 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Students at the University of Hyderabad, India |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Questionnaire ffmq And well-being Stress reduction |
| Key findings | An 8-week MBSR program significantly reduced stress and substantially improved multiple facets of mindfulness among university students compared to a no-intervention control group. |
Abstract
Higher education students face unique stressors, including academic pressure, social challenges, and life transitions. These stressors can affect their mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Research has shown that high levels of stress can lead to anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality, and decreased academic motivation. This study investigates the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) among students at the University of Hyderabad, India. Using an experimental research design, 50 students were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which participated in weekly MBSR sessions supplemented with daily at-home practices, or a control group that received no intervention. Stress levels and mindfulness were assessed pre- and post-test-intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). The findings revealed a significant reduction in stress levels (p = 0.038) and substantial improvements in mindfulness dimensions, including observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity, among the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Large effect sizes highlighted the intervention's effectiveness in promoting mindfulness, self-awareness, and stress management. This research highlights the potential of mindfulness-based programs as accessible, noninvasive strategies to enhance students' mental health and academic performance. The study suggested that for integrating mindfulness practices into student support services and curricula, it is helpful to emphasiz cultural adaptations such as yoga to increase engagement and acceptance. Future research should explore the long-term effects of mindfulness interventions on academic outcomes and overall life satisfaction, contributing to sustainable mental health solutions in higher education.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 13
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Stress Management Intervention for Healthy Individuals Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine July 22, 2014
- Mindfulness‐based stress reduction for psychological distress among nurses: A systematic review Journal of Clinical Nursing July 3, 2019
- Assessing the mindfulness predictors of mental health: does mindfulness practise or dispositional mindfulness better protect young peoples' mental health? Health psychology and behavioral medicine 2024
- The effects of mindfulness based stress reduction on students at a senior military college. Military psychology : the official journal of the Division of Military Psychology, American Psychological Association June 2, 2025
and 8 more in the library