Minimal Mindfulness for Maximum Impact: Mandalas, Positivity, Self-Compassion, and Gratitude in the Higher Education Classroom
Jennifer M Joy, Kendra K Fox, Lauren A Shepherd
Journal of Educational Research and Practice October 10, 2024 DOI: 10.5590/jerap.2024.14.1.19 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Female graduate students |
| Duration | One day |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | A day of mindfulness-based activities significantly increased overall mindfulness in twelve female graduate students, according to paired-samples t-tests. The authors suggest this indicates that brief mindfulness-based interventions can be feasibly incorporated into graduate education to support student well-being. |
Abstract
Numerous mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated significant increases in users’ overall physical and emotional well-being. Often, however, graduate-level instructors believe it would be too time-consuming to incorporate these worthwhile self-care strategies into their curriculum. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether participating in a day of mindfulness-based activities could increase overall mindfulness in graduate students. Intervention activities were focused on creating a safe and focused space, as well as instilling self-compassion, positivity, and gratitude. Twelve female graduate students completed short activities utilizing mandalas, prompts for self-compassion and positivity, and a forgiveness practice. Paired-samples t-tests showed the intervention significantly increased overall mindfulness in these students. This suggests the benefit of using mindfulness-based interventions in higher education.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |