Mindfulness Training at School: A Way to Engage Adolescents with Sustainable Consumption?
Tina Böhme, Laura Stanszus, Sonja Maria Geiger, Daniel Fischer, Ulf Schrader
Sustainability October 4, 2018 DOI: 10.3390/su10103557 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized pre-post waitlist control group design with mixed methods (pilot study) Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 85 |
| Population | 15-year-old adolescents at school |
| Duration | Eight-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 50 |
| Key points | The adapted consumption-specific mindfulness intervention showed strong effects on precursors of sustainable consumption behavior and further effects potentially conducive to it, but actual behavioral effects were minor. Substantial inter-individual differences and inconsistencies between qualitative and quantitative results indicate case-related effects that do not allow generalizable conclusions; the authors describe the pilot results as indicating a feasible and fruitful approach. |
Abstract
A central challenge in research on education for sustainable consumption (ESC) is to develop new approaches to engage adolescents with sustainable consumption (SC) in a way that addresses not only the cognitive but also the socio-emotional and behavioral levels. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) that foster awareness, (self-)reflection, and ethical values could potentially leverage learning processes in ESC. The present study was the first one to investigate the potential effects of a consumption-specific MBI on sustainable consumption behavior (SCB) in the areas of nutrition and clothing. The eight-week long intervention was carried out with 15-year old adolescents (N = 85) directly at school. A randomized pre-post waitlist control group design with mixed methods was applied. The study revealed the strong effects of the adapted MBI on precursors of SCB and further effects not directly related to but potentially conducive for SCB. Actual behavioral effects were minor. Substantial inter-individual differences and inconsistencies between qualitative and quantitative results imply case-related effects that do not allow generalizable conclusions to be drawn. Nevertheless, the results of this pilot study indicate that combining mindfulness training with ESC formats appears to be a feasible and fruitful approach to engage adolescents with SC. Future practice and research should consider more diverse target groups, other consumption areas, and longer periods for interventions and their evaluation.
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
Cited by 7
- The Way Forward in Mindfulness and Sustainability: a Critical Review and Research Agenda Journal of Cognitive Enhancement July 2, 2020
- Next‐generation mindfulness: A mindfulness matrix to extend the transformative potential of mindfulness for consumer, organizational, and societal wellbeing Journal of Consumer Affairs April 1, 2023
- The Array of Outcomes Associated with Mindfulness Interventions in Schools: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Mindfulness July 6, 2025
- Can Meditation Help the Environment? Examining Cross-Sectional Associations Between Meditation Goals and Outcomes in Experienced and Novice Meditators Mindfulness December 1, 2025
- Meditation, Not Information? A Survey Experiment Probing the Effects of Meditation Practice on Affective Polarization and Pro-Environmentalism Mindfulness February 1, 2025
and 2 more in the library
Cites 8
- Defining mindfulness by how poorly I think I pay attention during everyday awareness and other intractable problems for psychology's (re)invention of mindfulness: Comment on Brown et al. (2011). Psychological Assessment 2011
- Education for Sustainable Consumption through Mindfulness Training: Development of a Consumption-Specific Intervention Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability June 16, 2017
- Mindfulness and sustainability: correlation or causation? Current Opinion in Psychology October 5, 2018
- The limited prosocial effects of meditation: A systematic review and meta-analysis Scientific Reports February 5, 2018
- Mindfulness in sustainability science, practice, and teaching Sustainability Science April 5, 2017
and 3 more in the library