Innovations in practice: group mindfulness for adolescent anxiety - results of an open trial.
Michael J Crowley, Sarah S Nicholls, Deborah McCarthy, Kate Greatorex, Jia Wu, Linda C Mayes
Child and Adolescent Mental Health May 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12214 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | 6th and 7th grade adolescents with elevated anxiety (SCARED ≥ 30) |
| Intervention | Group Mindfulness Therapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescence |
| Key findings | Group mindfulness therapy significantly reduced anxiety, internalizing symptoms, stress, and improved attention in adolescents with elevated anxiety. |
Abstract
Group Mindfulness Therapy (GMT) is a program tailored for adolescents that targets anxiety with mindfulness skills including present moment awareness, mindfulness in everyday life (breathing, eating, walking), body scan, loving-kindness, and self-acceptance. Youth with anxiety may benefit from mindfulness exercises precisely because they learn to redirect their mind, and presumably their attention, away from wandering in the direction of worry and negative self-appraisals and toward greater acceptance of internal states. This open trial assessed the feasibility and initial effectiveness of GMT in a school setting. Twelve 6th and 7th grade adolescents with elevated anxiety [Screen for Child Anxiety Disorders (SCARED) ≥ 30] participated in GMT after school. Youth completed measures of anxiety and perceived stress and their parents completed measures of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems at pretreatment and posttreatment. We hypothesized that GMT would significantly reduce youth anxiety and stress. Significant improvements were observed in anxiety, internalizing, stress, and attention, with effect sizes ranging from .88 to 1.34. We demonstrate that GMT is feasible and acceptable to adolescents presenting with anxiety as a primary concern. We provide further support for the use of a mindfulness-based intervention for anxiety reduction. The group format suggests a cost-effective way to deliver services in a school setting.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- The Implementation of Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Overcome Anxiety in Adolescents: A Narrative Review REAL in Nursing Journal August 11, 2023
- Implementing twelve-weeks of loving-kindness meditation and mindfulness of breathing for adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury and their parents: a mixed method pilot study. BMC Psychology July 23, 2025
- Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Nurse Burnout February 1, 2023
- Pilot, feasibility, and acceptability evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention with diabetes education in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Complementary Therapies in Medicine October 14, 2026
- Mindfulness Based Intervention to Overcome Anxiety in Adolescents ANALITIKA December 30, 2022
and 1 more in the library
Cites 6
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- Sitting-meditation interventions among youth: a review of treatment efficacy. Pediatrics August 24, 2009
- Mindfulness-based interventions in schools—a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychology June 30, 2014
- Mindfulness Meditation Training in Adults and Adolescents With ADHD Journal of Attention Disorders May 1, 2008
- Mindfulness Meditation May Lessen Anxiety, Promote Social Skills, and Improve Academic Performance Among Adolescents With Learning Disabilities Complementary health practice review 2008
and 1 more in the library