The impact of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on university students' mental health: A mixed-methods evaluation.
Ami G Deshpande, Jill R Johnson, Aurora M Casta, Marilia S Marien, Marian Reiff
Journal of American college health : J of ACH December 2024 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2198028 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post program evaluation with repeated measures and thematic analysis of open-ended responses Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 90 |
| Population | Undergraduate and graduate university students |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week program with pre-, mid-, and post-program surveys |
| Measures | Mindfulness, Satisfaction with Life, Psychological Distress, Perceived Stress |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | College students Mental health Mindfulness-based intervention Stress management Well-being |
| Key points | Participants showed significant improvements in mindfulness, psychological distress, perceived stress, and satisfaction with life from pre- to post-program, and in all measures except satisfaction with life from pre- to mid-program. Participants reported high satisfaction; program structure, perceived outcomes, and group setting facilitated practice, while busy schedules were a prominent barrier. |
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program's impact on university students' mental health.
Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students.
Methods: Ninety participants completed pre-, mid-, and post-program surveys. Mindfulness, Satisfaction with Life, Psychological Distress, and Perceived Stress scores were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and pairwise comparisons. Additionally, 115 participants completed post-survey open-ended responses addressing their subjective experiences, which were thematically examined.
Results: Participants showed significant improvements in all outcome measures from pre- to post- [p < 0.001] and mid- to post-program [p < 0.05]. All measures, except Satisfaction with Life, showed significant improvement from pre- to mid-program. Participants reported high program satisfaction. Facilitators of the participants' practice included program structure, perception of outcomes, and group setting; however, busy schedules posed a prominent barrier.
Conclusion: This evaluation supports MBSR as a public health, group-based approach to improving students' mental health and building a more positive campus community.