Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Symptoms and Emotion Regulation Strategies in Young Adolescents From the General Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Camille Piguet, Zeynep Celen, Ben Meuleman, Zoé Schilliger, Mariana Magnus Smith, Erik Mendola, Eleonore Pham, Sondes Jouabli, Vladimira Ivanova, Ryan J Murray, Paul Klauser, Arnaud Merglen
Depression and Anxiety 2025 DOI: 10.1155/da/2679049 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 70 |
| Population | Nonclinical adolescents aged 13 to 15 years from the general population |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotion regulation Internalized symptoms Randomized controlled trial Mindfulness practice Mindfulness program Young adolescents General population group Stress Depressive symptoms Symptom reduction Rct Program evaluation Research study Investigated Program acceptance High satisfaction Well-received Strong appeal Highly accepted |
| Citations | 2 |
| Registration | NCT04711694 |
| Key findings | The mindfulness-based intervention showed no effect on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, affects, or emotion regulation strategies in non-help-seeking adolescents. |
Abstract
Adolescence is marked by major puberty-induced changes including increased reactivity to stress and a peak incidence of mental disorders. The implementation of early interventions during this developmental period is essential to prevent mental disorders. In this clinical trial, we examined the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on internalizing symptoms, affects, and emotion-regulation strategies in a nonclinical sample of young adolescents. Seventy adolescents (41 girls) from the general population, aged between 13 and 15 years, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared an 8-week MBI designed for adolescents and a waiting list. Levels of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, positive and negative affects, as well as emotion regulation strategies were measured before and after the intervention (4.8 weeks ± 4 SD) using self-reported questionnaires. We found no effect of our MBI on all self-reported measures, including stress, anxiety, depression, and positive and negative affects, as well as an emotion regulation strategies. Trait mindfulness was negatively correlated with measures of stress, anxiety, and negative affects. The intervention was very well accepted (only one dropout) with a high degree of satisfaction among participants. Individual responses to the intervention were very heterogeneous. Mindfulness practice in non-help-seeking adolescents was very well received, but did not show any benefit on symptoms, affects, or emotion regulation. This is consistent with the literature suggesting a better response in clinical than in nonclinical samples. Longer-term effects remain to be investigated, as does the possibility of identifying individuals who respond best to this early intervention. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04711694.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 22
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Prevalence of meditation-related adverse effects in a population-based sample in the United States Psychotherapy Research June 2, 2021
- Individual participant data systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing adult mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in non-clinical settings. Nature Mental Health July 10, 2023
- Improving self-regulation in adolescents: current evidence for the role of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Adolescent Health Medicine and Therapeutics September 1, 2016
- You Can Lead an Adolescent to Mindfulness, but You Can’t Make Them Mindful Mindfulness July 1, 2024
and 17 more in the library