Effects Of Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) On The Psychological Health Of Adolescents With Subthreshold Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A tailored 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, adapted for adolescents, reduced depression and rumination and increased mindfulness in youngsters with sub-threshold depression. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial with 56 participants, those in the MBSR group showed significantly lower depression scores on the BDI-II and lower rumination scores on the RRS immediately after the intervention and at a three-month follow-up, compared to a control group. Mindfulness, measured by the MAAS, also improved and the effect persisted for three months. The findings suggest that adapted MBSR can benefit the psychological health of adolescents with sub-threshold depression.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background Sub-threshold depression (SD) has been associated with impairments in adolescent health which increase the rate of major depression. Researchers have shown the effectiveness of mindfulness on mental health, however whether the traditional mindful skills were suitable for youngsters, it was not clear. This study investigated the effects of a tailed Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on their psychological state. Methods A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was carried out. 56 participants who met the inclusion criteria agreed to be arranged randomly to either the MBSR group (n=28) or the control group (n=28). Participants in MBSR group received a tailored 8-week, one time per week, one hour each time group intervention. The effectiveness of intervention was measured using validated scales, which including BDI-II, MAAS, RRS at three times (T1-before intervention; T2-after intervention; T3-three months after intervention). A repeated-measures analysis of variance model was used to analyze the data. Results The results showed significant improvements in MBSR group comparing with control group that depression level decreased after the 8-week intervention and the follow up (F =17.721, p < 0.00). At the same time, RRS score was significantly decreased at T2 and T3(F= 28.277, p < 0.00). The results also showed that MBSR promoted the level of mindfulness and the effect persisted for three months after intervention (F=13.489, p < 0.00). Conclusion A tailored MBSR intervention has positive effects on psychology health among SD youngsters, including decrease depression and rumination level, cultivate mindfulness.