The effects of short video app-guided mindfulness meditation on rumination, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and depression among individuals experiencing entrepreneurial failure.
Ye-Hui Tu, Chao Liu, Zheng-Hao Gao, Hao Chen
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1706661 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Recently failed entrepreneurs aged 25-55 |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Dose | 3-minute daily sessions |
| Duration | 5-week intervention |
| Measures | Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form (SCS-SF), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness meditation Psychological flexibility Rumination Self-compassion |
| Key findings | A five-week app-guided mindfulness intervention significantly reduced rumination and depression and improved self-compassion and psychological flexibility in failed entrepreneurs compared to a waitlist control. |
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a short video app-guided mindfulness meditation intervention in improving psychological flexibility and self-compassion and reducing rumination and depressive symptoms among failed entrepreneurs. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 100 recently failed entrepreneurs (aged 25-55), who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 50) or a waitlist control group (n = 50). Over five weeks, the intervention group completed daily 3-minute guided mindfulness meditation sessions via a secure mobile app. Psychological outcomes-including rumination, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and depression-were assessed at pre- and post-intervention using validated instruments(Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form, SCS-SF), psychological flexibility (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, AAQ-II). Data were analyzed using a two-step approach: a 2 (Group: Intervention vs. Control) × 2 (Time: Pre vs. Post) mixed-design MANOVA was first conducted to assess overall multivariate effects, followed by repeated measures ANOVAs for each outcome variable. Significant group × time interaction effects were observed across all outcome variables. Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significant reductions in rumination (F (1, 98) = 14.485, p <.001, η² = .073) and depression (F(1, 98) = 9.241, p = .003, η² = .045), as well as significant improvements in self-compassion (F(1, 98) = 11.764, p <.001, η² = .057) and psychological flexibility (F(1, 98) = 13.464, p <.001, η² = .064). This study provides robust empirical support for the efficacy of mobile-guided mindfulness interventions in promoting mental health recovery among failed entrepreneurs. The findings highlight the potential of short video-based mindfulness practices as scalable, low-barrier tools to reduce cognitive vulnerability and emotional distress following entrepreneurial failure. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), identifier ChiCTR2500106524.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 18
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial. International Journal of Stress Management May 1, 2005
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Stress and Health March 15, 2010
and 13 more in the library