Mindfulness, coping strategies and mental health promotion among youths with depression and anxiety
Kirti .
International Journal of Applied Research May 1, 2018 DOI: 10.22271/allresearch.2018.v4.i5g.14065 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adolescents and young adults experiencing depression and anxiety |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | The paper argues that when chronic stressors exceed young people's coping capacity, maladaptive coping strategies emerge and worsen mental health, and that mindfulness-based interventions such as MBSR, MBCT, ACT, and DBT can strengthen emotional regulation, adaptive coping, resilience, and well-being by fostering present-moment awareness, non-judgmental acceptance, and psychological flexibility. |
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of psychological distress among adolescents and young adults has been attributed to academic pressure, family conflict, socioeconomic inequalities, trauma, excessive social media use, discrimination, and other chronic stressors. When these stressors exceed an individual's coping capacity, maladaptive coping strategies such as avoidance, rumination, substance abuse, self-harm, and emotional withdrawal often emerge, thereby worsening mental health outcomes. In recent decades, mindfulness-based interventions have gained considerable attention as evidence-based approaches that strengthen emotional regulation, adaptive coping, psychological resilience, and overall well-being. Unlike conventional cognitive approaches that primarily aim to modify thought content, mindfulness emphasizes present-moment awareness, non-judgmental acceptance, and psychological flexibility, enabling individuals to respond more effectively to distress. This paper reviews the relationship between stress exposure, coping strategies, mindfulness, and mental health promotion among youths experiencing depression and anxiety. It discusses theoretical foundations of mindfulness, examines evidence supporting mindfulness-based interventions including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and highlights school-based and community-based mental health promotion initiatives.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review General (healthcare, schools, workplace) | 2021 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology | 2018 | Review | |
| Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression: Challenges and Strategies | 2020 | Review |