Investigating the Efficacy of an Integrative Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI) in Indian College Students: An Eclectic Approach Combining Mindfulness meditation, Guided Imagery, and Gratitude Journaling
Garima Rajan, Mehar Sandhu
Journal of College Student Mental Health June 5, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/28367138.2025.2513954 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | College students at an Indian university |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation guided imagery gratitude journaling |
| Duration | 4-week intervention, assessed before and after the intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Education |
| Key findings | Students who completed a 4-week mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, and gratitude journaling intervention showed significant improvements in peace of mind, flourishing, and emotional well-being and significant reductions in anxiety and depression, whereas the control group showed no significant changes. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Academic stress, coupled with the challenges of the modern educational system, has created a need for comprehensive interventions to address the mental health of college students and enhance their positive functioning . This study aimed to determine whether a 4-week mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, and gratitude journaling intervention would be effective in improving college students’ mental health. 21 participants in the control group and 25 participants in the experimental group completed the study from an Indian University. Participants were assessed on gratitude, resilience, mindfulness, stress, anxiety, and depression, and well-being indicators consisting of peace of mind, harmony in life, and multidimensional flourishing, before and after the intervention. A mixed-design ANOVA was conducted to analyze the effects of time (pre-post), group, and the interaction between time and group on all study variables. Post-hoc analyses for group differences were conducted using the Bonferroni post-hoc test. Participants in the experimental group experienced significant improvements in peace of mind (p = .02), flourishing (p = .03), and emotional well-being (p = .03), along with reductions in anxiety (p = .04) and depression (p = .04) levels, while the control group experienced no significant changes. The findings from the study offer valuable insights into the implications and complexities of combined mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, and gratitude journaling interventions, underscoring the need for further investigation into tailored, holistic, and sustainable approaches to support the mental well-being of college students.
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 11
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Cultivating mindfulness: effects on well‐being Journal of Clinical Psychology May 16, 2008
- Short mindfulness meditation training: does it really reduce perceived stress? Cognitive Processing September 21, 2022
- Effects of guided mindfulness meditation on anxiety and stress in a pre-healthcare college student population: a pilot study Journal of American College Health August 1, 2020
and 6 more in the library