Exploring the impact of a mindfulness meditation class on college student stress levels and quality of life.
Mark W St Martin, Zeljka Vidic, Richard Oxhandler
Journal of American College Health November 2024 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2133962 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pre-post comparison study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 236 |
| Population | Undergraduate students at a mid-sized university |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation classes |
| Duration | One semester |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Academic mindfulness class College students Stress reduction |
| Key findings | Students in mindfulness meditation classes began with higher stress and lower quality of life than controls, but after one semester reported significantly lower stress and higher quality of life than the control group. The authors conclude that for-credit mindfulness meditation classes may support student mental health and well-being. |
Abstract
Objective: This study explored the differences in perceptions of stress levels and quality of life amongst college students enrolled in mindfulness meditation classes and those enrolled in an introductory holistic health class.
Participants: 236 undergraduate students at a mid-sized university completed coursework and surveys.
Methods: One-credit mindfulness meditation classes and an introductory holistic health class, serving as the control group, were offered over the course of one semester. Pre- and posttest questionnaires on stress and quality of life were administered to the participants.
Results: Students enrolled in mindfulness meditation classes began with higher stress levels and lower perceptions of their quality of life compared to the control group. The mindfulness meditation class participants ended with both significantly lower stress levels and higher quality of life scores then the control group.
Conclusions: Offering mindfulness meditation classes for credit may help promote positive mental health and well-being for students on a college campus.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review. Journal of American College Health January 15, 2025
- Mindfulness exercise and quality of life among nursing students: the mediating roles of self-control and internet addiction BMC Nursing April 18, 2026
- The confidence to cope: Building well-being tools in a university mindfulness course. Journal of American College Health July 23, 2025
- Aanapanasati Meditation and Stress Reduction Among Health Science University Students The Open Public Health Journal February 26, 2025
Cites 15
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators The Journal of Positive Psychology April 11, 2012
- Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness Among College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of American College Health March 1, 2008
- Examining the Efficacy of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Brief MBSR) Program on Psychological Health Journal of American College Health June 24, 2013
- The Art of Introducing Mindfulness into Medical and Allied Health Curricula Mindfulness August 1, 2021
and 10 more in the library