A randomized controlled trial evaluating school-based mindfulness training on internalizing problems in Chinese rural left-behind children: Exploring the potential mechanism of intervention effects
Xianhua Liu, Jie Liu, Shucheng Li, Yifan Wu, Juan Xiao, Kexing Huang, Qianqian Lu, Liye Zhu, Liang Yuan
Research Square July 14, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8973042/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 211 |
| Population | Chinese rural left-behind children (mean age approximately 12.8 years) |
| Intervention | School-based mindfulness training |
| Duration | 10-week intervention, with 10-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The mindfulness group showed significant reductions in perceived stress and internalizing problems at post-test compared with pre-test and the wait-list control group, and significant increases in trait mindfulness and self-compassion at post-test and 10-week follow-up. The authors report that trait mindfulness had a direct effect on internalizing problems and that self-compassion and perceived stress multiply mediated this relationship. |
Abstract
Abstract This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school‑based mindfulness training program on internalizing problems among Chinese rural left‑behind children (RLBC) and to explore potential underlying mechanisms. A total of 102 RLBC (age = 12.86 ± 0.56) in the experimental group received a 10‑week school‑based mindfulness intervention, while 109 RLBC ( age = 12.73 ± 0.54) in a wait‑list control group received no intervention. Trait mindfulness, internalizing problems, self‑compassion, and perceived stress were assessed at pre‑test, post‑test, and a 10‑week follow‑up. Results indicated that: (1) Compared to both pre‑test scores and the wait‑list control group at all time points, the experimental group showed significant reductions in perceived stress and internalizing problems at post‑test. Conversely, scores for trait mindfulness and self‑compassion significantly increased at post‑test and follow‑up for the experimental group. (2) Analyses revealed a significant direct effect of trait mindfulness on internalizing problems, as well as significant simple and chain mediating effects of self‑compassion and perceived stress. The findings suggest that school‑based mindfulness training can enhance trait mindfulness and self‑compassion, buffer perceived stress, and alleviate internalizing problems in Chinese RLBC. Furthermore, the effect of trait mindfulness on internalizing problems appears to be multiply mediated by self‑compassion and perceived stress.
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 |