Efficacy of an online attachment priming and mindfulness practice intervention for insomnia, stress, and emotion regulation in university students: A randomized controlled trial.
Jodie C. Stevenson, Meghann Matthews, Umair Akram
Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being August 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.70202 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 122 |
| Population | UK undergraduate university students |
| Interventions | Attachment security priming Mindfulness practice |
| Duration | 5 consecutive days of digital practice; follow-ups immediately after (T2), 1 week later (T3), and 4 weeks later (T4) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Stress, psychological Object attachment Students Universities Adolescent Female Young adult Emotional regulation Insomnia Emotion regulation Student mental health Attachment priming |
| Key findings | Both digital attachment security priming and mindfulness practice improved stress, insomnia, emotion regulation, and academic dropout intention over four weeks compared with a waitlist control, with attachment priming showing the most consistent and substantial benefits. Each intervention also produced specific gains in mindfulness and attachment-related outcomes. |
Abstract
Despite the availability of student well-being services, university students remain highly susceptible to mental health challenges. Recent research highlights the potential of mindfulness-based interventions and attachment security priming in enhancing psychological well-being. This study compared the immediate and sustained effects of digitally delivered attachment priming and mindfulness-based practices on student mental health over one week. Using a randomized controlled design, 122 UK undergraduate students were assigned to one of three groups: repeated attachment security priming, mindfulness practice, or a waitlist control. Participants completed baseline assessments of stress, insomnia, attachment anxiety, emotion regulation, and mindfulness. The intervention groups engaged in five consecutive days of digital practice, and all participants completed follow-up assessments immediately after (T2), one week later (T3), and four weeks later (T4). Compared with the control group, both intervention groups showed significant long-term improvements in stress, insomnia, emotion regulation, and academic dropout intention. Attachment priming produced the most consistent and substantial benefits across time points. Each intervention also resulted in specific gains in mindfulness and attachment-related outcomes. These findings support the integration of digital attachment priming and mindfulness-based programs as promising supplements or alternatives to traditional university mental health services, especially when timely, accessible support is lacking.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on sleep quality and mental health for insomnia patients: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research May 21, 2020
- The Relationship Between Adult Attachment Orientation and Mindfulness: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Mindfulness December 1, 2017
- Attachment Security and Self-compassion Priming Increase the Likelihood that First-time Engagers in Mindfulness Meditation Will Continue with Mindfulness Training Mindfulness February 29, 2016
and 6 more in the library