Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Quasi-experimental Study

A five-week quasi-experimental study at two nursing colleges in India tested whether mindfulness meditation reduces depression, anxiety, and stress among 84 undergraduate nursing students. The intervention group meditated for 15 minutes twice daily for four weeks; the control group did not. Scores on the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) showed that the intervention group had significantly greater reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression compared to the control group. The findings suggest that incorporating mindfulness meditation into daily routines can help students manage stressful events.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction: High levels of stress and anxiety are usually experienced by students as a result of peer pressure and concerns about college. Students who struggle to control their stress and anxiety may experience mood swings, behavioural changes, and even depression. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate nursing students. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Yenepoya Nursing College, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), and Zulekha Nursing College, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India for a duration of five weeks from April 2022 to May 2022. A total of 84 study participants were enrolled and divided into two groups: the intervention group (n=42) and the control group (n=42). The intervention group received mindfulness meditation for 15 minutes, twice a day in the morning and evening for four weeks. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress in both groups. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0. Baseline data were presented using frequency and percentage. Two-factor repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were adopted to assess the difference between pre and post-test scores for stress, anxiety, and depression in repeated intervals. The level of significance was set at p-value <0.05. Results: A comparison within the intervention group at different time points showed a significant difference in the reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression from the pretest after the administration of mindfulness meditation (p-value<0.05). The reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression in the intervention group was significantly different from the control group (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: Mindfulness meditation significantly reduces stress, anxiety, and depression among students. Hence, it can be incorporated into daily life to help individuals deal with a variety of stressful events.