Mind the Teachers! The Impact of Mindfulness Training on Self-Regulation and Classroom Performance in a Sample of German School Teachers
Silke Rupprecht, Peter Paulus, Harald Walach
European Journal of Educational Research October 15, 2017 DOI: 10.12973/eu-jer.6.4.565 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot non-randomized waitlist-controlled mixed-method study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | German school teachers, 93% female |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 27 |
| Key points | Compared with a waitlist control group, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction produced medium to high effect sizes on most measures of teacher wellbeing, self-regulation, and classroom performance at post-test, with gains sustained at follow-up; changes in mindfulness at post-test mediated outcome changes at follow-up. Unexpectedly, the intervention appeared to reduce teacher engagement, while qualitative interviews suggested ways mindfulness may influence engagement and improve performance. |
Abstract
Teacher wellbeing and performance is affected by their ability to cope with the demands of the profession. This pilot non-randomized, waitlist-controlled study investigated the impact of a mindfulness intervention (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) on teachers' wellbeing, self-regulation ability and classroom performance applying a mixed-method design. The sample was comprised of 32 German school teachers (93% female) which were distributed to a control and intervention group. Compared to the control condition, the intervention showed medium to high effect sizes on most outcome variables at post-test and results were sustained at follow-up. Mediation analyses showed that changes in mindfulness at post-test mediated changes in outcome variables at follow-up. Unexpectedly, the intervention seemed to negatively affect teacher engagement. Qualitative interviews highlighted the way mindfulness may influence teacher engagement and improve performance. Limitations of this study and future directions of research are discussed.
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 4
- App‐based mindfulness meditation reduces perceived stress and improves self‐regulation in working university students: A randomised controlled trial Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being December 27, 2021
- اليقظة الذهنية والمعتقدات الوسواسية کمنبئات بالاکتئاب لدى عينة من طلاب الجامعة Mağallaẗ Kulliyyaẗ Al-Tarbiyyaẗ, Ǧāmiʿaẗ Al-Iskandariyyaẗ/Mağallaẗ Kulliyyaẗ Al-Tarbiyyaẗ, Ǧāmiʿaẗ Al-Iskandariyyaẗ September 1, 2021
- Mindful Movement Programs in Community and University Preschools: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Research Protocols August 29, 2025
- No Effects of a Brief Mindfulness Intervention on Controlled Motivation and Amotivation, but Effect Moderation Through Trait Mindfulness: a Randomized Controlled Trial Mindfulness October 1, 2022
Cites 6
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mindfulness for Teachers: A Pilot Study to Assess Effects on Stress, Burnout, and Teaching Efficacy Mind, Brain, and Education August 16, 2013
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- Mindfulness Training for Elementary School Students Journal of Applied School Psychology July 6, 2005
and 1 more in the library