The role of mindfulness programs in reducing student anxiety and stress

A mindfulness program for university students reduced reliance on maladaptive coping strategies and increased adaptive coping, improving psychological well-being. The mixed-methods study measured perceived stress, coping, and mental well-being before and after the intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale, Brief Cope Inventory, and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. The program was effective in promoting healthier coping and enhancing well-being.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, mindfulness programs have gained increasing attention as effective interventions for managing anxiety and stress among students. The aim of the study is to explore the impact of mindfulness-based practices on student mental health, with a focus on reducing anxiety and stress levels in educational settings. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of various mindfulness interventions, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and to identify the mechanisms through which mindfulness influences mental well-being. Methods: The methodology involves a mixed-methods study, where the same subjects were tested prior and after the intervention to investigate the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention on university students' perceived stress, coping strategies, and mental well-being measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Brief Cope Inventory (BCI) and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Results: The results demonstrated that the mindfulness program was effective in improving students' psychological wellbeing and promoting healthier coping strategies, particularly by reducing their reliance on maladaptive coping and increasing the use of adaptive coping strategies.