Exploring the link between mindfulness practices and academic performance in university students
Lucas Oliveira Santos, Maria Eduarda Ribeiro
International Journal of Psychology Research 2022 DOI: 10.33545/26648903.2022.v4.i1a.135 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 257 |
| Population | Undergraduate students at a Brazilian university |
| Interventions | body scan meditation mindful movement |
| Duration | 16 weekly sessions; follow-ups at one and three months |
| Measures | Grade point averages, examination scores, assignment quality ratings, perceived stress, attention regulation, emotional well-being |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors report significant group-by-time interactions favoring the mindfulness condition on academic performance measures (grade point averages, examination scores, and assignment quality ratings) relative to an active relaxation control and a waitlist control. Details of effect sizes and secondary outcomes (perceived stress, attention regulation, emotional well-being) are not available in the truncated text. |
Abstract
Can contemplative practices enhance academic outcomes among university students facing mounting academic pressures? This randomized controlled investigation examined whether a structured mindfulness intervention would improve academic performance among undergraduate students at a Brazilian university. A total of 257 students were randomly assigned to three conditions: mindfulness training (n = 89), active control involving relaxation exercises (n = 86), or waitlist control (n = 82). The mindfulness intervention consisted of 16 weekly sessions incorporating breath awareness, body scan meditation, mindful movement, and loving-kindness practices. Academic performance was assessed through grade point averages, examination scores, and assignment quality ratings at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and at one and three-month follow-ups. Secondary outcomes included perceived stress, attention regulation, and emotional well-being. Results demonstrated significant group-by-time interactions favoring the mindfulness condition, F(8.42, 1069.31) = 7.84, p
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 |