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THE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION INTERVENTION ON ANXIETY AMONG CHINESE COLLEGE STUDENTS AT A UNIVERSITY IN YUNNAN: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF MENTAL RESILIENCE

Xinying Zu, Nipaporn Sakulwongs

The EUrASEANs: journal on global socio-economic dynamics March 29, 2026 DOI: 10.35678/2539-5645.11.2.2026.265 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Mixed-methods study Qualitative Peer reviewed
Sample size 158
Population Undergraduate students from a Yunnan university
Intervention Structured group meditation program
Duration 8-week intervention
Measures SAS, CD-RISC
Topics Anxiety Meditation
Keywords Education
Key points The 8-week meditation program significantly reduced anxiety and enhanced mental resilience; resilience partially mediated the intervention's effect, accounting for 57.9% of the anxiety reduction. Feasibility was strong (88% attendance, 4.36/5 satisfaction), and qualitative data indicated improved emotional awareness and stress coping.

Abstract

Anxiety is a prevalent issue among Chinese college students, yet the application of meditation interventions in higher education remains limited, and the mediating role of mental resilience is not well understood. This study examined the effects of an 8-week structured group meditation program on anxiety and the mediating function of mental resilience. Using a mixed-methods design, 158 undergraduate students from a Yunnan university participated in pre- and post-test surveys (SAS, CD-RISC), with behavioural observations and interviews conducted for qualitative insights. Results demonstrated strong feasibility (88% attendance, 4.36/5 satisfaction) and a significant reduction in anxiety, alongside enhanced mental resilience. Mediation analysis revealed that resilience partially mediated the intervention’s effect, accounting for 57.9% of anxiety reduction. Qualitatively, participants reported greater emotional awareness and improved stress coping. This study contributes a validated, manualized meditation protocol to campus mental health practices and empirically clarifies the psychological mechanism through which meditation alleviates anxiety, offering a resilience-focused approach for student well-being initiatives.

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 Meditation