Impact of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on the levels of anxiety, depression, and subjective happiness in Russian first-year students of the Psychology Department

Social studies show an increasing number of people with anxiety disorders and depression around the world. Selected data on Russia confirm this trend. Despite the overall improvement in the world economic situation in recent decades, the stress level has not decreased. Freshmen are particularly vulnerable to stress. This pilot study assesses the mindfulness training effectiveness, which was aimed at maintaining mental and physical health of Russian students.

Participants: 107 freshmen of the Psychology Department of the Ural Federal University named after B.N. Yeltsin. The data collection was completed in November 2019.

Methods: A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted using Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program.

Results: MBCT reduced depression and increased subjective happiness among the first-year psychology students. More frequent mindfulness meditation practice and the study of the theoretical materials are associated with higher rates of positive results of the program.

Conclusion: MBCT can be an effective program in working with first-year students of the Psychology Department of the Ural Federal University. Nevertheless, an additional research is required before putting the program into practice on a broad basis in Russian universities.