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Feasibility, Effectiveness, and Mechanisms of a Brief Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Program to Reduce Stress in University Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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  • David Martínez-Rubio

    (Psicoforma, Integral Psychology Center, C/Maestro Clavé, 3, 2°, 3a, 46001 Valencia, Spain
    Excellence Research Network PROMOSAM (PSI2014-56303-REDT), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

  • Jaime Navarrete

    (Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
    Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain)

  • Jesus Montero-Marin

    (Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK)

Abstract

The mental health of university students is a public health concern, as psychopathology has significantly risen among this population. Mindfulness-based programs may support their mental health, though more research is needed. We used a two-armed pilot randomized controlled trial to study the feasibility, preliminary effectiveness, and potential mechanisms of a brief 6-week instructor-led mindfulness- and compassion-based program (MCBP for University Life) on perceived stress and psychological distress. Thirty undergraduate psychology students participated (15 in the intervention group, and 15 as wait-list controls). Those in the intervention arm engaged well with the course and formal at-home practice, attending at least five sessions and meditating between 4–6 days per week. Significant improvements in perceived stress, psychological distress, mindfulness skills, decentering, self-compassion, and experiential avoidance were found at the end of the intervention, while the wait-list group remained unchanged. There were significant differences between the two groups in those variables at post-test, favoring the intervention arm with major effects. Reductions in stress were mediated by improvements in mindfulness skills, decentering, and self-compassion; meanwhile reductions in psychological distress were mediated by improvements in decentering. These results suggest that this intervention might be feasible and effective for university students, but more high-quality research is needed.

Suggested Citation

  • David Martínez-Rubio & Jaime Navarrete & Jesus Montero-Marin, 2021. "Feasibility, Effectiveness, and Mechanisms of a Brief Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Program to Reduce Stress in University Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:154-:d:709924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emma Medlicott & Alice Phillips & Catherine Crane & Verena Hinze & Laura Taylor & Alice Tickell & Jesus Montero-Marin & Willem Kuyken, 2021. "The Mental Health and Wellbeing of University Students: Acceptability, Effectiveness, and Mechanisms of a Mindfulness-Based Course," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-21, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fatin Zaida Zaidi & Ming-Ming Lai & Anisah Jumaat & Yvonne Lee, 2023. "Modelling Well-Being with Mindfulness Intervention on Bottom- and Middle-40% Income Earners in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-23, February.

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