Mobile Mindfulness: Effectiveness of Brief Practices on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
Katelyn J. Haschke, Whitney Whitaker, Jordan Null, Null Null
Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research 2020 DOI: 10.58809/aiuf4851 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | College students |
| Interventions | Mindful breathing Body scan Mobile-phone application |
| Duration | Three days of self-practice, with outcomes assessed over a one-week period |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Brief mindfulness practices delivered via a mobile-phone application produced little to no differences from a no-strategy control condition in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among college students over a one-week period. |
Abstract
Research indicates that practicing mindfulness over an extended period of time (e.g., 20-45 minutes a day) may positively impact an individual’s overall well-being; however, limited empirical attention has tested the effectiveness of brief mindfulness practices. The current study examined how brief mindfulness practices influence symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among college students, a population who might benefit from mindfulness-based practices. This work also tested the effectiveness of practicing mindfulness using a mobile-phone application, technology relevant to college students who use their mobile-phone for a variety of endeavors on a daily basis. Participants came to an initial lab session where they completed a self-report questionnaire and practiced one mindfulness-based strategy (i.e., mindful breathing or body scan using a mobile-phone application) or engaged in a no-strategy (control) condition. Participants in the mindfulness conditions practiced the assigned strategy using their phone and on their own for three days. Participants returned to the lab and once again practiced the assigned mindfulness strategy and answered the self-report questionnaire. Main analyses indicate little to no differences between the mindfulness conditions and control condition in relation to the variables of interest assessed over a one-week period. Implications of the findings for college students including limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity and GRE Performance While Reducing Mind Wandering Psychological Science March 28, 2013
- Review and Evaluation of Mindfulness-Based iPhone Apps. JMIR mHealth and uHealth August 19, 2015
- Mindfulness online: an evaluation of the feasibility of a web-based mindfulness course for stress, anxiety and depression BMJ Open November 1, 2013