Mindfulness, happiness, and anxiety in a sample of college students before and after taking a meditation course
Claire G. Crowley, L. Kapitula, Dana Munk
Journal of American College Health May 5, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1754839 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Before-after observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 147 |
| Population | College students at a primarily undergraduate institution |
| Duration | Semester-long |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Students in the meditation course increased average subjective happiness and mindfulness attention awareness, and anxiety decreased more for them compared to the non-meditation class. |
Abstract
Abstract Objective To explore differences in mindfulness, happiness, and perceived anxiety in a sample of college students before and after taking a meditation course.
Participants: Participants were college students at a primarily undergraduate institution enrolled in an experiential meditation class (n = 74) and a non-meditation class comparison group (n = 73).
Methods: The study design was a before-after observational study with two groups and three dependent variables: the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Subjective Happiness Scale.
Results: Students in the meditation course increased average subjective happiness and mindfulness attention awareness. Mindfulness scores increased and anxiety decreased more for students in the meditation class compared to students in the psychosocial class.
Conclusions: This research provides evidence that taking a semester long meditation course is associated with improvements in college student well-being.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- Effect of Mindfulness Breathing Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial among University Students Healthcare December 22, 2022
- Isha Yoga Practices and Participation in Samyama Program are Associated with Reduced HbA1C and Systemic Inflammation, Improved Lipid Profile, and Short-Term and Sustained Improvement in Mental Health: A Prospective Observational Study of Meditators Frontiers in Psychology May 19, 2021
- Long-term mindfulness meditation increases occurrence of sensory and attention brain states. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience January 6, 2025
- Meditation and guided imagery show reduction in chronic stress and increase in mental health-related quality of life for college students. Journal of American College Health January 13, 2025
- Designing a meditation module to affect etiological and preventive factors in primary hypertensive patients-A pilot study. Physiological reports February 1, 2025
and 10 more in the library
Cites 19
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
and 14 more in the library