Mindfulness matters in the classroom: A pilot study of a university-wide classroom-based brief mindfulness program.
Jesse Honsky, Marjorie N Edguer, Elizabeth R. Click, Suzanne Rusnak, Barbara Burgess-Van Aken, Matthew A Salerno, Kristen A. Berg
Journal of American College Health July 25, 2023 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2237596 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational pilot study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 133 |
| Population | Students at a private midwestern research-intensive university taking courses from trained faculty |
| Intervention | Brief classroom-based mindfulness activities |
| Duration | Semester-long program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Pilot projects Stress, psychological Universities Female Young adult Surveys and questionnaires Well-being Classroom University students Higher education |
| Key findings | Students who participated in the semester-long brief classroom-based mindfulness program reported reduced levels of stress and increased mindfulness. Qualitative data indicate that students found the program beneficial. The authors conclude that such faculty-led activities may benefit students in higher education and call for more research. |
Abstract
Objective: The aims of this pilot study were: first, to assess the impact of a brief classroom-based mindfulness program on students' reported levels of mindfulness, well-being, and stress; and, second, to understand students' experiences of participating in the program.Participants: Students at a private midwestern research-intensive university, 133 (16%) students completed either the study's pretest or post-test survey.Methods: The study had an observational design using pre- and post-test survey responses from students taking courses from faculty who were trained to facilitate brief classroom-based mindfulness activities.Results: Students who participated in the semester-long program reported reduced levels of stress and increased mindfulness. Qualitative data indicate that students found the program to be beneficial.Conclusions: Brief classroom-based mindfulness activities led by faculty may have benefits for students in higher education settings. More research is recommended to better understand the impact of mindfulness in the classroom on students and faculty.
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 2
- The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review. Journal of American College Health January 15, 2025
- Exploring impacts of a college biology course with integrated mindfulness practice on student well-being: Qualitative insights from student written reflections Journal of American College Health March 9, 2026
Cites 8
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Can Mindfulness Meditation Improve Short-term and Long-term Academic Achievement in a Higher-education Course? College Teaching April 25, 2019
- Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises: reduced anxiety for clients and self-care for social work interns Social Work with Groups February 1, 2019
- Assessment of mindfulness by self-report. Current Opinion in Psychology November 10, 2018
and 3 more in the library