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The Effect of Mindfulness on Depression and Anxiety in Adults

Fanyue Kong

Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media May 18, 2026 DOI: 10.54254/2753-7048/2026.ld33546 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Mixed-methods study Qualitative Peer reviewed
Population Adults
Intervention Mindfulness meditation
Duration 4-week intervention
Measures Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)
Topics Anxiety Depression Meditation
Key points Anxiety and depression levels significantly decreased after a four-week mindfulness meditation intervention, while mindfulness levels as measured by the MAAS showed no significant change.

Abstract

Mindfulness meditation is increasingly recognized as an effective psychological intervention for emotional regulation. Millions of people worldwide suffer from depression and anxiety, which are the most common mental health conditions amd present significant public health issues. This study examines the effects of short-term mindfulness meditation on depression and anxiety in adults. A mixed-methods research design was used, integrating quantitative assessments and qualitative reports. Participants completed standardized psychological scales, including the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), before and after a four-week mindfulness meditation intervention. Participants also submitted weekly self-reflection reports about their meditation experiences. The results showed that after the intervention, anxiety and depression levels significantly decreased, suggesting mindfulness meditation may alleviate negative emotional symptoms. However, no significant change was found in mindfulness levels as measured by the MAAS. These findings support the potential benefits of mindfulness meditation as an accessible strategy for improving emotional well-being in adults. The study highlights the need for longer intervention periods and larger sample sizes in future research.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases 2014 Prospective follow-up with qualitative content analysis n = 10
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
Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress Adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis 2017 Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis n = 13
Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: A mixed methods study Participants who reported extended difficulties following psychedelic experiences 2023 Convergent mixed-method study n = 608
Mindfulness and compassion-oriented practices at work reduce distress and enhance self-care of palliative care teams: a mixed-method evaluation of an “on the job“ program Interdisciplinary palliative care team staff 2017 Observational mixed-method pilot evaluation n = 28

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Anxiety Depression Meditation