A Daily Digital Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress from Discrimination Among Racially Diverse Sexual and Gender Minorities: Preparation Phase of the Multi-Phase Optimization Strategy (MOST).
Stephanie H Cook, Erica P. Wood, Mariana Rodrigues, Maxline Delorme, Raquel G Tatar, Simon B. Goldberg, Shabnam Javdani, Erin Godfrey
Mindfulness May 21, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02874-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial (factorial design) Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | Young sexual and gender minorities (YSGM); 95.65% people of color |
| Intervention | Connection |
| Duration | 5-day intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mhealth Mindfulness meditation Stress |
| Registration | NCT05131360 |
| Key findings | The app-based mindfulness meditation program was feasible and acceptable among YSGM participants, but omnibus tests for perceived stress and satisfaction with life were not statistically significant; the Connection component showed a potential signal for stress reduction. |
Abstract
Young sexual and gender minorities (YSGM) experience disproportionate stress and poor mental health compared to young cisgender heterosexual individuals which may, in part, be due to exposure to discrimination. An app-based mindfulness meditation program may be an easily accessible intervention through which to improve mental health and well-being among this population. We utilized the preparation phase of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) process to guide this work. We used a 23 (8- condition) factorial intervention to examine the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of three meditation components: Awareness, Connection, and Purpose. Participants (n = 72 YSGM; 95.65% people of color) were enrolled and randomized to one of the eight conditions, engaged in meditation exercises via a smartphone app, and completed daily surveys that assessed stress and well-being over 5 days. Post-intervention, participants completed a survey and were interviewed about their experiences with the app and study protocol. Qualitative analyses explored the feasibility and acceptability of the study protocol, and factorial ANOVAs examined preliminary signals from each component and their interactions in reducing perceived stress and improving well-being. The findings point toward the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention among YSGM participants; participants assigned to all three meditation components had the highest proportion of lost to follow-up. The omnibus test of the factorial model for perceived stress was not statistically significant, F(7, 64) = 1.44, p = 0.20, η 2 p = 0.136. The omnibus test for satisfaction with life was also non-significant, F(7, 64) = 0.98, p = 0.45, η 2 p = 0.097. Given non-significant omnibus tests, individual component effects should be interpreted with caution as preliminary signals rather than confirmed effects. Among individual components, the Connection component showed a potential signal for stress reduction (b = - 5.21, p = 0.04, η 2 p = 0.064). Research with larger sample sizes is needed to evaluate the effects of the intervention components more fully. Quantitative findings were largely non-significant, consistent with this study's preparation-phase design. However, this study points to areas for further inquiry, including future work with larger, more diverse SGM samples, greater inclusion of instructors from diverse backgrounds in meditation apps, and the identification of engagement strategies for diverse populations. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05131360.
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 11
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Effects of Brief and Sham Mindfulness Meditation on Mood and Cardiovascular Variables The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine July 28, 2010
- Testing the Efficacy of a Multicomponent, Self-Guided, Smartphone-Based Meditation App: Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Mental Health November 27, 2020
- A Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Alleviate Stress From Discrimination Among Young Sexual and Gender Minorities of Color: Protocol for a Pilot Optimization Trial. JMIR Research Protocols January 14, 2022
and 6 more in the library