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Mental health and health behaviors among college student mentors in a randomized controlled trial interrupted by COVID-19.

Reagan L Miller, Megan J Moran, Rachel G. Lucas‐Thompson, Natalia Sanchez, Natasha Seiter, Stephanie Rayburn, Megan Verros, Shelley A Haddock, Toni S Zimmerman, Sarah A Johnson, Lauren B Shomaker

Journal of American College Health June 21, 2022 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2086007 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 49
Population Undergraduates (average age 20.51 years; 94% female)
Intervention mentoring as usual
Duration 12-week program; questionnaires in February and July 2020
Topics Meditation
Keywords Humans Stress, psychological Mental health Students Mentors Universities Adolescent Female Young adult Pandemics Surveys and questionnaires Mentoring Covid-19 Sars-cov-2 Health behaviors
Key findings Mental health, health behaviors, and regulatory processes remained stable over time despite moderate COVID-19-related perceived stress, with no differences between the mentoring+mindfulness and mentoring-as-usual conditions. Participants reported using contemplative practices and social support to cope with COVID-19 stress.

Abstract

Objective: The benefits of mindfulness-training and mentoring for college students have yet to be investigated. We aimed to provide an exploratory and descriptive account of their potential benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants: In February 2020, 49 undergraduates (M = 20.51 years-old; 94% female) participated in a randomized trial of 12-week mentoring + mindfulness or mentoring-as-usual. After five weekly mentoring-sessions, programs were interrupted by COVID-19; mentoring continued online.

Methods: Undergraduates completed questionnaires about mental health, behaviors, and regulatory processes in February and July 2020, with additional COVID-19-related questions at follow-up.

Results: Participants reported moderate COVID-19-related perceived stress, but mental health, health behaviors, and regulatory processes did not diminish over time, with no condition differences. Undergraduates described using contemplative practices and social support to cope with COVID-19-stress.

Conclusions: Undergraduates showed stable mental health/health behaviors despite moderate COVID-19-related-stress. Future research on mentoring with a mindfulness component among a larger and more heterogeneous sample will be necessary.

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

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