The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing anxiety and depression among students: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Malak A. Alzahrani, Iman Aly Almohammadi
Clinical Psychologist February 9, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/13284207.2026.2621341 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Students |
| Interventions | mindfulness-based interventions mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Depression economics Psychological intervention Mental health Medline Meta-analysis Clinical psychology |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based interventions produce medium effects in reducing anxiety (g = -0.58) and depression (g = -0.51) among students. |
Abstract
Objectives With growing interest in mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as tools for improving psychological well-being, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs in reducing anxiety and depression among students.Method A systematic literature search was conducted across major electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, ProQuest, and APA PsycNet following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies published between 2010 and 2024 were screened for eligibility. A Random-Effects Model (REM) was used to compute pooled effect sizes.Results A total of 84 studies targeting general students met the inclusion criteria. MBIs demonstrated medium effects in reducing anxiety (g = - 0.58, 95% CI [−0.72, −0.45], p = 0.00, k = 75) and depression (g = -0.51, 95% CI [−0.63, −0.39], p = 0.00, k = 70). Subgroup analyses indicated that 8-week interventions were significantly more effective in reducing depression (8- weeks p = 0.00; g = −0.73), compared with shorter interventions (1–7 weeks; g = - 0.43) and longer interventions (9 weeks and above; g = - 0.15). Moreover, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was particularly effective in reducing anxiety (p = 0.00; g = - 2.21), compared with MBSR (g = - 0.88) and other MBIs (g = - 0.40).Conclusions Mindfulness-based interventions appear to provide meaningful reductions in anxiety and depression among students.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 58
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002
and 53 more in the library