Group Nature-Based Mindfulness Interventions: Nature-Based Mindfulness Training for College Students with Anxiety
L. Vitagliano, Kelly L. Wester, Connie T. Jones, David L. Wyrick, A. Vermeesch
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 1, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021451 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCollege students' anxiety has been rising for years and worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness-based interventions and exposure to natural environments each reduce anxiety, but brief nature-based mindfulness programs often lack social interaction and do not deliberately combine mindfulness theory with Attention Restoration Theory. This paper describes a framework for a new psychoeducational group intervention called Nature-Based Mindfulness Training (NBMT) that intentionally integrates both approaches. The authors argue that such integration offers an effective and sustainable way to reduce anxiety among college students. Limitations and future research directions are noted.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology Education |
| Key finding | Argues that intentionally integrating mindfulness and nature through Attention Restoration Theory in a group intervention (Nature-Based Mindfulness Training) can effectively and sustainably reduce anxiety among college students. |
Abstract
The mental health crisis across college campuses is accelerating, with anxiety listed as the top mental health issue for undergraduate college students. Although evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic escalated the mental health crisis on college campuses, pre-COVID-19 anxiety among college students was on the rise. Research supports Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) to reduce anxiety among college students. Additionally, exposure to natural environments, which are accessible to students on college campuses, is effective in reducing anxiety. While brief nature-based mindfulness interventions appear effective in reducing anxiety among college students, these interventions are often offered in isolation without social interaction among group members and lack intentional integration of mindfulness and nature-related theories. The purpose of this work is to describe a framework for integrating the use of Mindfulness and Attention Restoration Theory (ART) in an innovative psychoeducational group intervention, Nature-Based Mindfulness Training © (NBMT), for college students with anxiety. In conclusion, we argue for the need to intentionally integrate mindfulness and nature into nature-based mindfulness interventions as an effective and sustainable means to reduce anxiety. Limitations and areas for future research are described.