Effects of a mindfulness program for university students

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Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a brief and flexible mindfulness program in reducing anxiety and increasing mindful awareness in psychology university students. The sample consisted of 72 psychology students who participated in four different studies. The first was a quasi-experimental study and the remaining three studies were randomized controlled trials (RCT). A mindfulness program was applied to intervention groups. Anxiety (STAI-T) and mindful awareness (FFMQ) were assessed before and immediately after the intervention. Anxiety was reduced and mindful awareness increased in the intervention groups (p < .05). In the three RCTs the magnitude of change (between groups) showed a moderate increase in mindful awareness in one study (d = 0.68) and a large increase in the remaining two (d = 1.32, 1.01), and as regards anxiety, large changes were observed in the three studies (d = 0.80, 1.04, 0.81). As a conclusion, this mindfulness program proved to be effective in reducing anxiety and increasing mindful awareness.

Translated abstract

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la eficacia de un programa de mindfulness breve y flexible para reducir la ansiedad y aumentar la conciencia plena en los estudiantes universitarios de psicología. La muestra comprende 72 estudiantes de psicología que participaron en cuatro estudios diferentes. El primero fue cuasi-experimental y los tres restantes fueron ensayos controlados aleatorizados (en inglés, RCT). Se aplicó un programa de mindfulness a los grupos de intervención. La ansiedad (STAI-T) y la conciencia plena (FFMQ) se evaluaron antes e inmediatamente después de la intervención. Se redujo la ansiedad y se incrementó la conciencia plena en los grupos de intervención (p <. 05). En los tres RCT la magnitud del cambio (entre grupos) mostró un aumento moderado de la conciencia plena en un estudio (d = 0.68) y un gran aumento de los dos restantes (d = 1.32, 1.01) y en lo que respecta a la ansiedad se observaron grandes cambios en los tres estudios (d = 0.80, 1.04, 0.81). Como conclusión, este programa de mindfulness demostró su eficacia en la reducción de la ansiedad y el aumento de la conciencia plena.

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Most cited references 22

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Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness.

Ruth A. Baer, Gregory T. Smith, Jaclyn Hopkins … (2006)

The authors examine the facet structure of mindfulness using five recently developed mindfulness questionnaires. Two large samples of undergraduate students completed mindfulness questionnaires and measures of other constructs. Psychometric properties of the mindfulness questionnaires were examined, including internal consistency and convergent and discriminant relationships with other variables. Factor analyses of the combined pool of items from the mindfulness questionnaires suggested that collectively they contain five clear, interpretable facets of mindfulness. Hierarchical confirmatory factor analyses suggested that at least four of the identified factors are components of an overall mindfulness construct and that the factor structure of mindfulness may vary with meditation experience. Mindfulness facets were shown to be differentially correlated in expected ways with several other constructs and to have incremental validity in the prediction of psychological symptoms. Findings suggest that conceptualizing mindfulness as a multifaceted construct is helpful in understanding its components and its relationships with other variables.

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The prevalence and socio-demographic correlations of depression, anxiety and stress among a group of university students.

Nuran Bayram, Nazan Bilgel (2008)

The mental health of university students is an area of increasing concern worldwide. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among a group of Turkish university students. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) completed anonymously in the students' respective classrooms by 1,617 students. Depression, anxiety and stress levels of moderate severity or above were found in 27.1, 47.1 and 27% of our respondents, respectively. Anxiety and stress scores were higher among female students. First- and second-year students had higher depression, anxiety and stress scores than the others. Students who were satisfied with their education had lower depression, anxiety and stress scores than those who were not satisfied. The high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among university students is alarming. This shows the need for primary and secondary prevention measures, with the development of adequate and appropriate support services for this group.