Online Mindfulness to Deal with Stress during COVID-19 pandemic: AMixed Method Study in Indian College Students from Kolkata, West Bengal
Anirban Pal, Purnava Mukhopadhyay, Nidhi Dawar Pal, Paramita Datta
Healthline September 30, 2023 DOI: 10.51957/healthline_531_2023 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized mixed-methods study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Indian college students during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Interventions | Online Mindfulness-based intervention usual-care sessions |
| Measures | PSS-10 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Post-program PSS-10 perceived stress scores improved significantly compared with pre-program scores in the online mindfulness group, and post-program PSS-10 scores in the mindfulness group improved significantly compared with the usual-care group. Qualitative analysis identified four emergent themes of students' coping strategies for stress relief. The authors state that further studies are needed to substantiate the results. |
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was aggravating the mental stress of vulnerable Indian college students. This mixed-method study aims to explore Mindfulness as astress - relief tool.
Method: One hundred and fifty students were randomized to attend online Mindfulness-based intervention (Group M) or usual-care sessions (Group U). Quantitative data in form of perceived stress scores (PSS-10) and qualitative data to understand the student's perspective for stress relief were collected. The quantitative data was subjected to statistical analysis, while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data.Results:The postprogram PSS-10 improved (p<0.0001) compared to pre-program scores in group M. and post program PSS10 of group M improved (p<0.0001)when compared to group U. The qualitative data brought forward four emergent themes of the student's coping strategies of stress relief.
Conclusion: In this current study, the online Mindfulness program had a positive impact on the perceived stress ofIndian college students. Further studies will be required to substantiate the results.
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 3
- Mindfulness Is Associated With Lower Stress and Higher Work Engagement in a Large Sample of MOOC Participants. Frontiers in Psychology 2021
- Effect of an online mindfulness program on stress in Indian adults during COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled preliminary study. Indian Journal of Psychiatry 2022
- Efficacy of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App “Calm” to Reduce Stress Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR mHealth and uHealth June 1, 2019