Feasibility of conducting a pilot randomized trial of a mindfulness-based intervention among sheltered young adults experiencing homelessness.
Diane Santa Maria, Paula Cuccaro, Erica Sibinga, Kimberly Bender, Ethel Jacko, Widumini Liyanage, Jennifer Jones, Stanley G. Cron
Frontiers in Psychology November 11, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1649664 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot attention-control randomized trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 90 |
| Population | Youth experiencing homelessness living in a homeless shelter |
| Intervention | Healthy Topics |
| Duration | Five-session intervention; assessments at baseline, immediate-, 3- and 6-month post-follow-ups |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Youth Feasibility Young adults Homelessness |
| Key findings | All a priori feasibility and acceptability benchmarks were surpassed for the adapted five-session mindfulness intervention .b4me, and reliability was confirmed for most emotional and psychological well-being measures in this population and shelter setting. The authors conclude that .b4me is acceptable and that conducting a pilot attention-control randomized trial with youth experiencing homelessness is feasible despite major environmental obstacles. |
Abstract
Purpose: Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) are an underserved and difficult-to-reach population that experiences a disproportionate burden of trauma and stress compared to their housed peers. Prolonged trauma and stress can impact the development of negative emotions, reactive stress responses, and impulsive decision-making, which can lead to risk-taking behaviors. Growing research shows that Mindfulness-Based interventions (MBIs) can improve coping, impulsivity, emotion regulation, and executive function although no MBIs tailored for YEH have been tested.
Methods: We conducted a pilot attention-control randomized trial to test the feasibility and acceptability of an adapted MBI, .b4me (pronounced dot be for me), for youth living in a homeless shelter. .b4me is a five-session MBI adapted to address the unique considerations of YEH. We randomized youth to .b4me or the control condition, Healthy Topics. Each curriculum comprised 5 h-long group lessons delivered by trained facilitators. Pre- and post-lesson assessments were collected, as well as baseline, immediate-, 3- and 6-month post-follow-ups. Benchmarks for feasibility and acceptability were set a priori, and survey measures to assess emotional and psychological well-being were tested for feasibility and appropriateness of using these measures in future trials among this population and in a shelter setting.
Results: The mean age of participants (N = 90) was 21.5 years old, with the majority identifying as male (62.2%), non-Hispanic (71.1%), black (50.0%), and heterosexual (55.6%). All a priori feasibility and acceptability benchmarks were surpassed and the reliability of most of the emotional and psychological well-being measures was confirmed.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that an MBI tailored for YEH, .b4me, is acceptable, and it is feasible to conduct a pilot attention control randomized trial with YEH living in a shelter despite major environmental obstacles.
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 13
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- Sitting-meditation interventions among youth: a review of treatment efficacy. Pediatrics August 24, 2009
- School-Based Mindfulness Instruction: An RCT Pediatrics December 19, 2015
and 8 more in the library