A moderation examination of the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on primary school students’ symptoms of inattention, depression, and anxiety
Research Square February 9, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8502428/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational longitudinal study |
|---|---|
| Population | Primary school children |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Registration | NCT06346002 |
| Key findings | Changes in trait mindfulness were associated with increases in inattention, anxiety and depression over time, and participation in a mindfulness-based intervention was linked to worsened depression outcomes. The authors argue that mindfulness training should be paired with emotion regulation skills to avoid adverse effects. |
Abstract
Abstract The number of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) has proliferated in the last decade, as accessible evidence-based practices, to improve children’s mental health in school settings. However, some studies suggest that MBIs do not offer distinct advantages over other mental health promotion interventions. These inconsistent findings may be explained, at least in part, by the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes a MBI, as well as inconsistencies in intervention length and facilitator training. The present study was interested in the potential benefits associated with a case of this type of intervention and aimed to explore whether dispositional (i.e., trait) mindfulness and mental health indicators evolved over time in primary school children. A secondary objective meant to evaluate whether receiving a MBI could moderate the relationship between changes in mindfulness and changes in mental health indicators. Results showed that mindfulness levels were linked with indicators of mental health. Specifically, changes in mindfulness were associated with increases in inattention, anxiety and depression throughout time using structural equation modelling. Taking part in a MBI resulted in worsened outcomes for depression. Results thus lend support to exercising caution when aiming to only foster mindfulness abilities, without ensuring that children also learn the emotion regulation skills that are required to deal with the increased awareness of their difficulties. ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration number NCT06346002; trial registration date: April 3rd 2024.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Research Review: The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry October 22, 2018
- Meta-analytic evidence for effects of mindfulness training on dimensions of self-reported dispositional mindfulness. Psychological Assessment 2016
- Mind the Gap: The History and Philosophy of Health Psychology and Mindfulness Revista Psicologia e Saúde June 26, 2018
- Using Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Support Self-regulation in Young Children: A Review of the Literature. Early childhood education journal March 21, 2022
and 4 more in the library