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Exploring impacts of a college biology course with integrated mindfulness practice on student well-being: Qualitative insights from student written reflections

Zhuoya Zhang, Sai S Chilakapati, Pháp Lưu, Caroline Borowy, Diane Gilbert-Diamond

Journal of American College Health March 9, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2026.2636837 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 36
Population Undergraduate students enrolled in the Mindful Physiology course in Spring 2023
Duration One semester (Spring 2023)
Topics Meditation
Keywords Qualitative research Course navigation Graduate students Mental health Teaching method Medline Metacognition Medical education Applied psychology
Key findings Students reported improved well-being, including increased positive emotions, compassion, social connectedness, and competency in using mindfulness to manage everyday stressors.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to qualitatively explore the perceived impacts of an undergraduate biology course that integrated mindfulness on student well-being.

Participants: A total of 36 undergraduate students enrolled in the Mindful Physiology course in Spring 2023.

Methods: Thematic analysis was conducted on students' weekly written reflections on course content and mindfulness practice.

Results: Students reported improved well-being, including increased positive emotions, compassion, social connectedness, and competency in using mindfulness to manage everyday stressors. Recognizing the body as a dynamic, interdependent system fostered appreciation of interbeing and enhanced connection to themselves, others, and the environment. Additionally, learning about physiological systems increased students' appreciation for their bodies and motivation to adopt health-promoting practices, including consistent mindfulness practice.

Conclusions: Findings support integrating mindfulness practice into human physiology teaching as an innovative approach to enhance college student well-being.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... 2017 Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system 2004 Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety 2006 Exploratory mixed methods study n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context 2001 Qualitative study n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators 2013 Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

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