Investigating the effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress Reduction
Khadija Tariq, Fatima Zaffar, Asma Riaz, Umar Hayat, Saba Idrees, Zainab Kausar Khan
Bulletin of Business and Economics February 13, 2025 DOI: 10.61506/01.00579 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | College students aged 18–22 years in a low- or middle-income country |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Stress linguistics Mindfulness meditation Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Theology |
| Key findings | MBSR led to a sustained reduction in negative emotional states among students. |
Abstract
Financial constraints usually hinder students, especially those in low-middle income countries, from seeking mental health interventions. Hence, it is necessary to identify effective, affordable and sustainable counter-stress measures for college students in low-middle income countries context. This study examines the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on psychological outcomes of students, especially when they are exposed to stressful situations. Forty-nine students with an age range from 18 to 22 years old were initially recruited (35 females; mean age = 19.9 ± 0.75 years and 14 males; mean age = 20.0 ± 0.6 years). After signing the consent form, subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: Test group – practice MBSR (N = 25) and Control group - do not practice MBSR (N = 24). The MBSR program includes 8-weeks. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-42) were used as research instruments. Findings reveal that test group showed a decrease in negative emotional states after the intervention of MBRS. It is suggested that practice of MBSR might enhance the students’ ability to encounter with stressful situations. In conclusion, MBSR intervention led to a sustained reduction of negative emotional states. MBSR as an effective and sustainable stress-countering approach for students in LMICs.
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 14
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- A mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress in university students (the Mindful Student Study): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial The Lancet Public Health December 18, 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults: Effects on Executive Function, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Immune Function Neuropsychobiology 2013
- Gender differences in response to a school-based mindfulness training intervention for early adolescents. Journal of school psychology June 1, 2018
- Effects of mindfulness meditation on mindfulness, mental well-being, and perceived stress. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning August 7, 2019
and 9 more in the library